There’s nothing like sharing a meal with your friends and family. Latine families know how to work their way around a kitchen and create some of the savoriest recipes you can imagine. Not only are you spending quality time with your loved ones, you’re also creating traditions that can be passed down generations.
How many of you ever watched your abuela make tamales or asked her to teach you how to roll tortillas for a family dinner? Who has ever watched their father spend the weekend making a carne asada for a special celebration?
Latine food nourishes the spirit as much as it nourishes the body – from huevos rancheros for breakfast to a big bowl of birria for dinner. Pair any Latine dish with an ice-cold Coca-Cola and the flavors are enhanced even after you go back for seconds.
It’s important to make those emotional connections with friends and family at the dining room table. There is a sense of magic when the smells and tastes of Latin America come together for an unforgettable culinary experience. Here are five Latin American dishes meant to be shared with everyone.
Camarónes a la Diabla
You’ll need an ice-cold Coca-Cola if you see that someone in your family has cooked up camarónes a la diabla. Its flavor comes from its red chili sauce, which is made from guajillo, adobo and arbol peppers. Some of the other ingredients in the dish include garlic, onions, vinegar and salt. Served with a side of rice, this cuisine definitely has some kick for everyone.
Enchiladas Suizas
There are countless kinds of enchiladas you can make for a big family dinner, but enchiladas suizas are a tasty option. Originally from Mexico City in the 1950s, these enchiladas are made with chicken and cheese and covered in a creamy salsa verde. If you’re using poblano peppers for the salsa, be sure to roast them over an open flame for the sauce.
Chiles Rellenos
Originally from the city of Puebla in the mid-19th century, chiles rellenos has a long history in the Mexican kitchen. Cooks can stuff just about any meats, cheese or vegetables inside the poblano pepper at the center of the recipe. There are plenty of variations depending on what part of Latin America that you find yourself in. From mushrooms to picadillo, chiles rellenos is a diverse dish.
Mofongo
If you have Puerto Rican roots, mofongo is probably a staple in your diet. The dish was brought to Puerto Rico by enslaved people from Africa. The recipe has changed plenty of times over the years, and today includes green plantains, chicharrón (pork skins) and garlic. While the bond with Puerto Rico is strong, the dish is also made in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Arepas
A pre-Colombian dish, arepas are made out of maize dough that is stuffed with different kinds of meats, cheeses and other fillings. It is similar to the gordita from Mexico and the pupusa from El Salvador. There are several ways you can prepare arepas, but we like ours fried with black beans, avocado and queso fresco. Remember that in the 2021 animated film, Encanto, arepas have healing powers. So, grab and ice-cold Coca-Cola and bring that magical feeling to the table.