Empanadas are a traditional appetizer in Colombia. We have different variations of this delicious dish throughout the country and these meat empanadas are one of them.

Empanadas de Pipián are typically associated with the del Cauca zone of Colombia and are made with corn masa and stuffed with roasted peanuts and potatoes.

I can resist many foods, even when they are very tempting and I am terribly tempted, but I cannot resist a Colombian empanada. They are the ideal snack. It’s hard for me to just have one! They are perfect at breakfast, lunch or as a snack during the day. One, two, three…six, seven…how many can you eat? I can eat a lot of these wonderful empanadas Read more…

I love eggs in all forms, especially when they are soft and runny. I am one of those people who always has eggs in the fridge and I am always looking for new ways to cook them. The beauty with eggs is that you can eat them at any time of the day, not just for breakfast. This dish was so simple to make, yet delicious! Read more…

Marranitas or Puerquitas are a popular appetizer from the Pacific zone of Colombia. Just because we call them appetizers, doesn’t mean you can only serve them as a snack or before a meal. As a matter of fact, if you eat six of these marranitas, you are not going to have any room for dinner

Marranitas literally traslate as “little pig girls” and are fried green plantains stuffed with chopped chicharrones. I know, I know, this is not exactly diet food, but they are absolutely delicious. We Colombians, don’t think about diet when we are eating our Colombian fritters Buen provecho! Read more…

Who doesn’t like salsa with tortilla chips?

Here is a quick and easy to prepare appetizer that is tasty and fun to make. The salsa will keep for up to a week, covered, in the refrigerator.

Enjoy it! Read more…

I love Cuban food and sandwiches are an important part of Cuban cuisine. I have family in Florida who I would visit before I came to live in the United States and that is where I learned a little about Cuban food.

My uncle was married with a Cuban women and she cooked delicious and authentic Cuban food. On one of my visits, she introduced me to this delicious turkey sandwich. When I first heard of the ingredients, I was a little scared about those flavors together, but after my first bite I could not stop eating it. It is delicious and the flavors actually work fantastic together. I love the combo of salty and sweet foods, so to me this is a wonderful combination.

My friend Joan from Foodalogue is going to Cuba this week on her virtual culinary tour and I am joining her with the Elena Ruz Cuban sandwich.

Buen Provecho! Read more…

I am a big fan of salmon in all forms. Everytime I see it on sale at the market I have to buy it.

Last week it was so cold and nasty outside that I needed to cook something to keep me warm and make me feel good, so I decided to make these Salmon Rolls with Asparagus served over tomato sauce. I used my simple homemade tomato sauce , but if you want to use store bought to keep it easier, that’s okay too.

This recipe was easy to make, elegant and delicious. I would recommend this dish for a dinner party. I loved it!

Ingredients
(4 servings)

4 salmon fillets, about 5 oz each one
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Juice of half a lime
8 asparagus spears, trimmed and cut in half
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Lay the salmon fillets on a cutting board and sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a small bowl whisk together the mayonaisse, mustard, parsley, thyme, onion powder , garlic powder and lime juice.

Top each salmon fillet with 4 asparagus pieces. Roll the fillets and place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet.

brush rolls with the mayo mixture and sprinkle with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese, pressing to adhere.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve over your favorite tomato sauce.

I had some potatoes in the fridge and I didn’t know what to do with them, so, while I was doing some laundry, I started to have some ideas on how I would cook them. I was thinking maybe mashed or just roasted, until I thought about this delicious Potato Gratin recipe that I love! This a wonderful side dish and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. Read more…