Patricia McCausland-Gallo - Secrets of colombian cooking, expanded edition

Expanded Edition

Patricia McCausland-Gallo

HIPPOCRENE BOOKS

NEW YORK

I dedicate this book to my father, who got sick suddenly and passed away the same day my cookbook proposal was accepted. Many years ago, when I wanted to make cooking videos, he inspired me to study our Colombian foods and recipes.

I thank my very patient husband, Jorge, and my three girls, Isabella, Cristina, and Daniela, for helping me through many years of trial and error!

Copyright 2012 Patricia McCausland-Gallo

Copyright 2004 Patricia McCausland-Gallo (original edition)

All rights reserved.

Book design by Acme Klong Design, Inc.

Cover design by Wanda Espaa / Wee Design Group

For more information, address:

HIPPOCRENE BOOKS, INC.

171 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10016

www.hippocrenebooks.com

original edition ISBN 0-7818-1025-6

ISBN-13: 978-0-7818-1289-4

ISBN-10: 0-7818-1289-5

Cataloging-in-Publication Data available from the Library of Congress.

Printed in the United States of America.

Our country, in the eyes of my 15 year old daughter Isabella Gallo.

Political Division: Departments of Colombia

Guajira

Magdalena

Atlntico

Cesar Bolivar

Sucre

Crdoba

Santander

Antioquia

Boyac

Cundinamarca

Caldas

Risaralda

Quindo

Tolima

Huila

Valle

Cauca

Nario

Choc

Arauca

Casanare

Vichada

Meta

Guaina

Guaviare

Vaupez

Caquet

Putumayo

Amazonas

Norte de Santander

San Andrs y Providencia

In Secrets of Colombian Cooking, I share with you some of the recipes and memories with which I, and many other Colombians, were brought up. We have hundreds of food preparations from all over the countrysome similar, others very different, depending on where we live. I wish to introduce you to the variety, flavor, and delight of many of them.

Colombias location is one of welcome: we are the first country in the South American continent, formed by the Andes Mountains together with volcanoes, valleys, forests and rivers. We are a spot on this earth with an abundance of resources, surrounded by both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with plains, highlands, beaches and deserts, and every sort of land form in between. Three mountain ranges cross the territory: the Oriental, Central, and Occidental cordilleras. Colombia is divided into five large areas: the Zona Andina, which surrounds the Andes Cordillera, is by far the most populated, developed and greatest in economic importance. Santa F de Bogot, the ultramodern capital of the country where our cultural and political organizations are all grouped, lies there. Medelln, the center of the Paisa territory, is a very industrialized town with the only subway, or rapid transportation system in the country, as well as the first intelligent building owned by the public services company; it is also the hometown of painter Fernando Botero and many others. Santiago de Cali, the capital of a large and developed agricultural department, hosts most of the countrys sugarcane fields on its outskirts, along with refineries; for many years, it hosted the majority of the multinational corporations present in Colombia. Popayn, a historical pathway for the southern incursion in colonial times, has many architectural treasures that include churches and museums. Pasto, a city located at the skirts of the Volcn Galeras, is home to many colonial and archeological sites, including the beautiful Lake La Cocha, where the Andean, Amazonic and Pacific zones meet. The coffee-growing departments, Quindo, Risaralda and Caldas, are jewels of lands filled with hills of coffee plantations, beautiful houses with multicolored flowers and great foods offered on the roadways. Bucaramanga is called the city of the parks because of the perfectly maintained parks it has all over town. Tunja, the Chibcha capital that was later transformed by the colonists into a medieval European town, is a weekend haven for many. Ibagu, my grandmothers hometown, sits on the sides of the Magdalena River and embraces the Park of the Nevados, and many touristic places like Honda and Melgar. Neiva is the capital of the bambuco dance and of the department of Huila, which hosts the park of San Agustn and the peaks of Nevado del Huila too. The Andean zone has cooler climates and the majority of the coffee, corn, potatoes and cacao crops as well as fruit and vegetables are cultivated there.

The Caribbean zone, warm in climate year-round, is where I was born. In this region, there is great influence from all over the world since it has been a principal port of entrance for immigrants of all origins. Cartagena de Indias is a major tourist attraction, having the Fortresses and Walled City from the Spanish conquistador times, with many historical monuments, beautiful Islands and great places to stay. Barranquilla, my hometown, is a more industrial city; the warmth of our people brings the whole country here during Carnival season, when the people of all economic and social statuses meet and blend into one and show the rest of the country what sharing in peace really is all about. Santa Marta is a major tourist attraction too because of its beaches, and its closeness to the Sierra Nevada and to the Tayrona Park, both very important archeological and marine sites. La Guajira is a desertic peninsula that comprises Cabo de la Vela, one of the northern most place in the country, a majestic place where you can feel the softness of a white silky sand with the sunsets that bring about a beauty emanating from the perfection of a creator, and the territory of the Wayuu Indian community, which still stands strong in its traditions. Valledupar, the capital of Vallenato music and all their