Author: Steven

  • Marranitas Vallunas: Crispy Plantain Balls with Chicharrón

    Marranitas Vallunas: Crispy Plantain Balls with Chicharrón

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 8 marranitas (serves 4) Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 55 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Quick Ingredients 1 lb (450 g) skin-on pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup (120 ml) water, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda (optional) 3 very green plantains (about…

  • Colombian Chocolate Santafereño with Melting Cheese

    Colombian Chocolate Santafereño with Melting Cheese

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Quick Ingredients 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk 1 cup (240 ml) water 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches) 100 g (3.5 oz) bittersweet chocolate, 50–60% cacao, chopped 60 g (about 1/3 cup packed) grated/chopped panela 1/8…

  • Carne a la Llanera with Yuca, Guacamole, and Arepas

    Carne a la Llanera with Yuca, Guacamole, and Arepas

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 6–8 servings Prep Time: 45 minutes (includes salting rest) Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes Quick Ingredients 4 lb (1.8 kg) beef top round or sirloin cap (picanha), cut into 1–1.5 inch-thick slabs 35 g kosher salt (about 4 tbsp Diamond Crystal or 2.5…

  • Arepa Santandereana with Suero and Ají

    Arepa Santandereana with Suero and Ají

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 4 servings (8 thin arepas) Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 12 hours soaking) Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (plus soaking) Quick Ingredients 1.5 cups (270 g) dried white hominy/maíz pelado, soaked 12 hours 500 g yuca (cassava), peeled and cut 150 g chicharrón…

  • Coastal Arroz con Camarones with Coconut and Achiote

    Coastal Arroz con Camarones with Coconut and Achiote

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes Quick Ingredients 1 1/4 lb large shrimp, shell-on preferred (shells reserved) 4 cups water (for stock; reduce to 2 1/2 cups) 1/2 small onion (for stock), 2 garlic cloves, 1 bay leaf, 5 peppercorns,…

  • Cartagena-Style Shrimp Ceviche with Saltines

    Cartagena-Style Shrimp Ceviche with Saltines

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 3 minutes Total Time: 33 minutes Quick Ingredients 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (raw or pre-cooked) 3/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 6–8 limes) 1/2 cup ketchup 1–2 tbsp vinegar-based hot sauce (to taste) 1 cup very thinly sliced red…

  • Cayeye Samario with Queso, Fried Egg, and Suero

    Cayeye Samario with Queso, Fried Egg, and Suero

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Quick Ingredients 8 green guineo bananas (about 3 lb / 1.4 kg) 1 tbsp kosher salt, plus more to taste 1 tsp white vinegar (optional, for the boiling water) 1/4 cup neutral oil + 2 tsp…

  • Envueltos de Mazorca with Butter and Fresh Cheese

    Envueltos de Mazorca with Butter and Fresh Cheese

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 12 envueltos (6 servings) Prep Time: 35 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Quick Ingredients 10 fresh ears of sweet corn with husks (about 6 cups kernels); reserve 14–16 large husks 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter, melted, plus…

  • Brevas con Arequipe with Fresh Cheese

    Brevas con Arequipe with Fresh Cheese

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 8 servings (2–3 figs each) Prep Time: 25 minutes (active) Cook Time: 2 hours Total Time: 14 hours 30 minutes (includes 12-hour soak and cooling) Quick Ingredients 1 kg (about 20 small) firm green figs 1 tbsp baking soda + 2 L (8 cups) water for soaking 4 cups (800…

  • Achiras Huilenses: Savory Crunchy Cheese Biscuits

    Achiras Huilenses: Savory Crunchy Cheese Biscuits

    Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR) Yield: 40 biscuits (about 10 servings) Prep Time: 35 minutes (includes 15-minute rest) Cook Time: 24 minutes Total Time: 59 minutes Quick Ingredients 300 g achira (canna) starch (about 2 1/3 cups) 250 g queso campesino, finely grated (about 2 packed cups) 90 g unsalted butter, room temperature (6 tbsp) 1…