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.
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the epicurean's market
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 4:22 PM:
You never cease to amaze me with all these great dishes! Looks fabulous!
Soma
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 5:34 PM:
WOW beans & rice for breakfast! that is one elaborate elegant one:-)
Juju
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 6:03 PM:
I ADORE mi abuelita’s arepas.
Oysterculture
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 7:32 PM:
I use leftover rice and bean for breakfast all the time – I love it, and who knew I was clever enough to follow a Columbian tradition. =)
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 9:43 PM:
Absolutely delicious savory breakfast! Love it!
Felisha
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 1:29 AM:
They just keep getting better!!
Pilar-Lechuza
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 2:28 AM:
I’m so happy for finding this blog!!! I have a friend from Colombia who doesn’t know how to cook. With your fantastic recipes we will have lots of fun with the colombian dishes. Thank you for sharing.
Kisses from Spain
Taste Traveller
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 3:29 AM:
It’s funny how homesickness can be cured by food, and I think that’s a great way to start any day. This looks delicious!
Erica
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 7:04 AM:
Thank you all for your comments!
Eric
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 10:51 AM:
I love traditional meals from any country but your Colombian recipes are so close to my Puerto Rican recipes yet they always have a different twist. Fantastic
Eric
Marta
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 11:10 AM:
Las abuelas tienen una menra de quedarse grabadas en nuestras memorias, con su dulzura y deliciosa cocina, son verdaderamente magicas!
Delicious breakfast here Erica! I think it’s quite similar to the Andean breakfast accross the border in Venezuela, but I was only in that region a couple of times and don’t remember properly. Nice and hearty, sure to fill you up right for the entire day!
Sophie
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 11:46 AM:
What a satisfying & apart, lovely breakfast! It is so rich!
Vinolia
on Jul 8th, 2009
@ 2:09 PM:
wow, that is something royal for a breakfast
that would be enough for me for the whole day!
Kim
on Jul 8th, 2009
@ 6:39 PM:
This is my idea of breakfast! I am always most hungry in the morning and this looks terrific. I’ve never had an arepa before, but they are on my list of things to cook. My husband would love this breakfast. You have so many great recipes!!
Erica
on Jul 9th, 2009
@ 8:51 AM:
I love Colombian food….I am glad you are learning about my country and my culture!
Thank you all so much for the comments.
Anna
on Jul 9th, 2009
@ 10:26 AM:
Oh! Erica, you always make me hungry, this rice and beans looks yummy.
nora@ffr
on Jul 10th, 2009
@ 8:59 AM:
vat a delightful break fast.. yumm!!
MIke
on Jul 10th, 2009
@ 5:31 PM:
Just discovered the site. Can’t wait to try so many of these recipes. Thanks for the great posts.
zerrin
on Jul 11th, 2009
@ 8:31 AM:
Never used the leftover rice and beans for breakfast, we generally reheat it for lunch or dinner as side dishes. But I love the idea of serving these with eggs at breakfast.Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I never skip it with cornflakes or a simple french toast. I adore a big breakfast, so I’ll try it for sure.I think I’ll be a great fan of Colombian cuisine.
sakr
on Aug 5th, 2009
@ 10:28 AM:
My husband is Colombian and I lived there for several years. I am going to make a wonderful Colombian meal for him as a surprise using these great recipes! Buen provecho!
Erica
on Oct 2nd, 2009
@ 10:36 AM:
Thank you everyone for visiting my blog:)
Christina
on Nov 7th, 2009
@ 11:12 AM:
This sounds just like my Aubuela’s breakfast, she does the scrambled with the onion and tomato. Thank you for your helpful recipes.
tanaisha
on Mar 4th, 2010
@ 2:32 PM:
this look’s so good that i can smell it even though im on the computer