photo by Uncorrected Proofs (via Flickr)
On your Colombian adventure tour don't forget to try the Bandeja Paisa. This famous dish that hails from the Paisa region, home of the coffee-growing triangle. Bandeja is Spanish for "tray" or "plate", and paisa is also the name of people from that region, making bandeja paisa the "people's plate". The dish is so popular that it was in the running to become the national dish of Colombia, and featured in many ads. Ultimately, bandeja paisa lost the title of "Colombia's National Dish" to ajiaco, which is common in several regions of Colombia. There is still some debate, however!
But why is bandeja paisa so popular? In its current configuration, bandeja paisa has only been around since the 1950's, but it is likely a combination of several well-loved food items that were already popular in the region, such as red beans and chorizo. The size of this dish is perfect to sustain the workers on the coffee plantations, providing them with the energy and sustenance they need for long days of harvesting coffee beans in steep mountain conditions. Because coffee is such a source of pride for the Paisas – indeed Colombian coffee is prized around the world – some of that regional pride makes it way into this hearty and delicious dish, too.
Traditional bandeja paisa is made up of several key components: red beans, rice, beef, chorizo, plantains, egg, avocado, arepas (round unleavened bread, made from corn or flour, and served with nearly every meal in Colombia), and pork belly. Ready to try some bandeja paisa of your own? Check out this recipe, courtesy of My Colombian Recipes. Be prepared: bandeja paisa is a platter of several different items and requires a lot of preparation!
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 1 recipe paisa pinto beans (frijoles paisas)
- 1 recipe white rice (arroz blanco)
- 1 recipe powdered beef (carne en polvo)
- 4 fried pork belly (chicharrones)
- 4 cooked chorizos
- 4 fried eggs sunny side up
- 4 baked plantains or tajadas de plátano
- 1 recipe hogao
- lime and avocado for serving
Directions
- Prepare the beans, hogao, and powdered beef one day ahead and keep in the refrigerator.
- When you are going to serve the bandeja paisa, heat the beans and powdered beef and hogao. Make the chicharrones.
- Cook the white rice and plantains.
- Fry the eggs and chorizos.
- To serve, place the rice in a tray or platter and place the rest of the ingredients as you like. I prefer the beans in a separate bowl, but you can ladle the beans next to the rice if you like.
- Bring the hogao in a serving dish to the table, so people can place it on top of the beans if they like. Of course, don't forget the arepas if you want to truly enjoy this dish authentically. Arepas complement Colombian cuisine in the way tortillas complement Mexican cuisine. Enjoy!
Try mouthwatering bandeja paisa and other traditional Colombian cuisine on Uncharted Colombia's Coffee and Mountains Tour and other adventure tours in the Colombian coffee region. Colombia is waiting.