Traditional Colombian Breakfast (Calentado)

Calentado literally means “heated” and is a traditional Colombian breakfast born in the Andean region of the country. It is very common, in this region, to eat beans and rice every day for dinner. Then, for breakfast the next day, the beans and rice are reheated and served with egg, arepa, chorizo or grilled beef and hot chocolate. You will find this dish on the menu of almost any Colombian restaurant around the world.

Some days I miss my country more than others and when those days come, I just cook something like this breakfast and it is just like being back home and all the memories of my childhood come back to me. Most of my memories of my grandmother, Mamita, include her cooking. Every morning she was up early and by 8 o’clock she was already dressed and made up wearing her apron, which she would wear most of the day. Cooking was her life and the way to show her family how much she loved them.

Ingredients
(4 servings)

4 arepas
4 cooked Colombian chorizos
4 fried eggs sunny side up or eggs with tomato and onions
3 cups hogao
4 cups cooked white rice
4 cups cooked pinto beans

Directions

1. Place the hogao, beans and rice in a large saucepan, mix well ensuring that the rice and beans are coated by the hogao. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the mixture is warm, stirring occasionally.

2. To serve, divide the bean and rice mixture equally on serving plates. Place the chorizo and arepa around the beans.

3. Place the egg on top of the beans and rice mixture.

Related posts:

1. Migas de Arepa: A Hearty Breakfast
2. Colombian Breakfast Feast
3. Paisa Tray (Bandeja Paisa)
4. Pimentones Rellenos (Colombian Style-Stuffed Peppers)

Tagged as: Arepas, Beans, Chorizo, Comfort Food, Eggs, Rice, Traditional Colombian