traditional Recipes
501 delicious traditional recipes from around the world
Ajiaco Santafereño
A hearty and iconic Bogotá chicken and potato soup, Ajiaco Santafereño gets its signature creamy texture and unique flavor from three distinct types of potatoes and the essential herb, guascas. Served with shredded chicken, corn, and a trio of traditional accompaniments, it's a comforting and flavorful Colombian classic.
Arequipe (Colombian Dulce de Leche)
Arequipe is the Colombian version of dulce de leche, a rich, creamy, and intensely sweet caramelized milk spread. It's a staple in Colombian desserts and enjoyed on its own.
Argentine Tamales
Authentic Argentine corn tamales, a specialty from the Northwest region, featuring a savory meat filling encased in tender corn masa. This is a labor of love that results in a truly delicious and traditional dish.
Arroz Carreteiro
Brazilian wagon driver's rice - a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal traditionally made by Gaucho cowboys with dried beef and rice. This dish is designed for sustenance and simplicity, perfect for a filling lunch or dinner.
Asado (Argentine Barbecue)
Argentina's sacred ritual - various cuts of beef slow-grilled over wood embers, seasoned simply with salt. This is a celebration of pure beef perfection, traditionally cooked over a parrilla (grill) for hours.
Asado de Costilla (Argentine Grilled Beef Ribs)
A centerpiece of any Argentine Asado, these beef short ribs are slowly grilled over wood embers, allowing the smoke and fat to render into incredibly tender and flavorful meat. This recipe focuses on the traditional, minimalist approach, highlighting the quality of the beef and the primal method of cooking.
Asado de Tira (Argentine Short Ribs)
Authentic Argentine Asado de Tira, featuring cross-cut beef ribs cooked low and slow over coals or in a grill. A fundamental dish for any Argentine barbecue (asado).
Atole
A warm, comforting, and thick Mexican beverage made from masa harina, water, and infused with cinnamon and piloncillo. Often enjoyed as a breakfast drink or alongside tamales.
Bandeja Paisa
Colombia's legendary platter - a generous feast featuring rice, beans, seasoned ground beef, crispy chicharrón (pork belly), flavorful chorizo, a fried egg, sweet fried plantain, a corn arepa, and creamy avocado, all brought together with a rich tomato-onion sauce (hogao).
Barreado (Paraná Slow-Cooked Beef)
Barreado is a traditional Azorean-heritage dish from the state of Paraná, Brazil. It features beef slow-cooked for many hours until incredibly tender, traditionally sealed in a clay pot with a manioc flour paste. The result is a rich, flavorful, and fall-apart shredded beef, often served with manioc flour (farofa), bananas, and a side of broth.
Barreado Tradicional
Barreado is a traditional Brazilian dish from the state of Paraná, originating from Azorean immigrants. It features beef slow-cooked for many hours in a sealed clay pot until incredibly tender and shreddable. It's traditionally served with farofa (toasted manioc flour) and sliced bananas.
Bienmesabe
A rich and creamy Venezuelan coconut pudding, often described as 'tastes good to me' (Bienmesabe). This dessert has colonial origins and is a delightful sweet treat.
Bocadillo (Guava Paste)
A traditional Colombian sweet made from guava paste and sugar, often served with cheese. It has a firm, jelly-like texture and a rich, sweet guava flavor.
Buñuelos
Crispy, thin Mexican fritters made from fried dough, generously coated in a warm, spiced piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar) syrup. A beloved Christmas tradition, these buñuelos are known for their delicate crunch and sweet, aromatic flavor.
Cabrito a la Norteña (Northern Peruvian Kid Goat)
A traditional specialty from the Lambayeque region of Northern Peru, this dish features tender kid goat slow-cooked in a vibrant marinade of chicha de jora (fermented corn beverage), fresh cilantro, and aromatic spices. The result is a deeply flavorful and incredibly tender meat.
Café con Panela
A traditional Colombian coffee sweetened with panela, offering a complex, rustic flavor profile.
Café de Olla
A traditional Mexican coffee brewed in a clay pot, infused with the warm sweetness of piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar), aromatic cinnamon, and pungent cloves. This comforting beverage is a staple in many Mexican households, especially during cooler months.
Cajeta (Mexican Goat Milk Caramel)
A rich, thick, and decadent caramel spread made from goat's milk, originating from Celaya, Guanajuato. This traditional Mexican dulce de leche offers a unique tangy flavor profile distinct from cow's milk versions.
Calaveras de Azúcar (Sugar Skulls)
Decorative sugar skulls, a traditional edible folk art centerpiece for Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) altars. These are primarily for decoration but can be eaten.
Caldo de Costilla (Colombian Beef Rib Soup)
A deeply comforting and hearty Colombian breakfast soup featuring tender beef ribs, soft potatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a chilly morning or as a restorative meal.
Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Soup)
A hearty and flavorful Mexican beef soup, traditionally enjoyed on Sundays with family. This comforting stew features tender beef shank simmered with a medley of vegetables like corn, potatoes, chayote, carrots, and cabbage, all infused with aromatic herbs.
Carantanta (Crispy Corn Crust)
Carantanta is a traditional Colombian snack made from the crispy, flavorful corn masa that forms on the bottom of the pot after preparing tamales or other corn-based dishes. It's a delicious way to utilize every bit of the masa, resulting in a unique, crunchy texture.
Carbonada Criolla
A hearty and festive Argentine beef stew, traditionally served inside a hollowed-out pumpkin. It features a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors with tender beef, root vegetables, corn, and fruit.
Carne de Sol
Carne de Sol, meaning 'sun meat,' is a traditional Northeast Brazilian specialty. It's beef that is lightly salt-cured and then briefly dried, giving it a unique flavor and texture. Traditionally grilled or pan-fried, it's a delicious and savory dish often served with cassava and vinagrete.