| Exotic Foods Abound in Colombia | | | | Another milk-based soup commonly served in |
| Although "exotic" foods abound in Colombia, the most | | | | Bogotá and environs for breakfast. It is simple |
| succulent, flavorful offerings are its locally-made soups. | | | | with beef broth, milk, and eggs as its main ingredients. |
| One of the many pleasures of living and teaching | | | | Parsley is often sprinkled on top for added color and |
| English as a foreign language abroad is the opportunity | | | | bouquet. |
| to sample and savor a unique plethora of foods. From | | | | " Sancocho de Pescado |
| chilly Bogotá, Colombia's mountain-located | | | | Along Colombia's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, this full |
| capitol city, through aromatic seafood soups from the | | | | version of the national dish is made with several types |
| Pacific coast to the steaming goodness of Cali, Salsa | | | | of seafood instead of chicken. Fried slices of yellow or |
| music capitol of Colombia, here are some of the | | | | green plantain accompany this dish as does white rice |
| country's best soups. | | | | cooked in coconut milk instead of water. Sliced fresh |
| Here Are Six Succulent Soups from Colombia | | | | avocado, tomato and fried fish are often piled on a |
| " Sancocho de Gallina | | | | platter next to the bowl of soup which is actually more |
| The national dish of Colombia, this hearty soup is made | | | | like a stew. |
| with a whole stewed chicken or rooster including the | | | | " Caldo de Costillas |
| feet. Added in are yucca, yellow plantain, potatoes, | | | | The third highest capitol city in the world, |
| carrots, onions, garlic, and seasonings. It's served with a | | | | Bogotá can get quite chilly mornings and late |
| bed of steaming white rice and fresh slices of | | | | evenings year-round. For a great chilly morning |
| locally-grown avocado. | | | | pick-me-up you can't do better than a bowl of this |
| " Mondongo | | | | simple beef broth cooked with white potatoes and a |
| A truly hearty meal in which cubes of tripe are cooked | | | | healthy slab of meaty beef rib thrown in, always still on |
| until tender, then added into a stew of vegetables like | | | | the bone. Bread or arepa (a thick flour tortilla-like |
| yucca, yellow plantain, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, | | | | bread) on the side help fuel you up for a busy day in |
| peas and seasonings. It's also often served with a bed | | | | Colombia's capitol city. Add a hot cup of Colombia's |
| of steaming white rice. A cold, locally-brewed beer | | | | rich, mild coffee and you're good to go for the day. |
| goes well with this too. | | | | Feeling Adventuresome? |
| " Ajiaco | | | | If you're feeling adventuresome, then by all means try |
| As creamy a soup as they get, this specialty of | | | | the "Hormigas Culonas" ants from Santander, the flaky |
| Bogotá is made with tender chicken breast, | | | | smoked shark called "Tollo", or dip into a stew of |
| two varieties of potatoes; small yellow potatoes and | | | | Iguana meat. But for me, I'll savor the flavors of these |
| white potatoes, yucca and lots of fresh whole milk to | | | | wonderful broths and hearty meals served with rice, |
| give it its characteristic creamy texture and light color. | | | | fried plantain or a flat, toasted "arepa". Any way you |
| It's served with Guasca (a green, leafy vegetable) and | | | | try them, they're all simply delicious. Whether it's |
| Alcaparras (capers) and is a taste sensation you'll likely | | | | "exotic" foods or one of the locally-made traditional |
| never forget. | | | | soups, your taste buds are in for a treat when you |
| " Changua | | | | come to Colombia. |