So, what exactly are chilaquiles? (pronounced chi-lah-KEE-les)

The name of this dish comes from a Nahuatl word meaning “chile water, edible plant.” Why is this?

Well, the base and most important part of chilaquiles are the fried corn tortillas, which serve as its base.

Gaining an appearance that is very similar to that of fried tortilla chips, small slices of corn tortillas are fried in oil until golden brown, and then placed on the plate as the base of the dish.

Next, on top of the fried tortilla strips, either a red sauce, a green sauce, or a mole sauce is poured. The type of sauced used depends on personal preference and/or the region in which your chilaquiles have been made.

Another important component of a respectable plate of chilaquiles is tender pulled chicken which is added to the sauce.

Finally, chilaquiles can be garnished with the toppings of your choosing. Common options include refried beans, sour cream, fresh cheese, and avocado. You can personalize them as you like!

Be sure to give chilaquiles a try as soon as you can!

The post What Are Chilaquiles? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

The dish has spread from there to other countries, most of which are Spanish-speaking. For example, now you can find different forms of ceviche in coastal Mexico and in various Central American countries.

The base of ceviche is marinated raw fish or seafood that has been soaked in a type of sauce in order to “cure” it.

The traditional form of ceviche, which can be found in most South American countries, calls for the fish or seafood to be marinated and cured in a sauce that consists principally of citrus juices and seasonings.

However, one popular form of ceviche sticks out and is common in Ecuador. This “tomato” ceviche calls for the acidic base of the sauce to be tomato, resulting in a very unique and interesting flavor.

The other additions to the ceviche usually include seasonings like garlic, aji, and salt. It’s also common to find vegetables such as onions and chili peppers mixed into ceviche.

This refreshing dish is a great choice for summer and warm days.

The post Ceviche: South America’s Favorite Seafood Dish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Taking in the scents and sights of fresh, delicious ingredients are a source of inspiration from anyone, from Michelin-starred chefs to normal people that make dinner every so often.

Here’s a look at five of the world’s coolest food markets.

La Boqueria: Barcelona, Spain

This market in Barcelona is not only gorgeous and one of Europe’s oldest, but is also a treasure trove of fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats.

Noryangjin Fish Market: Seoul, South Korea

If you are a seafood lover, this market in the South Korean capital might be for you. It has an astonishing variety and quantity of fresh and quality seafood.

Maketi Fou Market: Apia, Samoa

This market in the Pacific island country of Samoa is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and has everything under the sun that you might need.

Kupetz Eliseevs Market: Moscow, Russia

This might just be the most beautiful food market on Earth. Not only that, some of Russia’s best food products can be found here.

Mercado Central: Santiago, Chile

This Latin American market is the most important in Chile. Not only does it have vendors selling fresh products, but it also has delicious restaurant stands.

The post Take a Look at Five of the Coolest Food Markets on Earth appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

If so, this person was probably enjoying mate, which is a traditional South American beverage that is particularly popular and beloved in the countries of the Southern Cone region: Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, and some parts of Brazil.

Mate is a drink which is brewed from the leaves of the yerba mate shrub. The indigenous Guaraní and Tupí communities in what is now Paraguay were the first people to use the leaves from this shrub to make what is now known as mate.

The dried leaves from the plant are chopped and ground up into a powdery mixture and then placed in a pot along with hot, but never boiling, water, and the beverage steeps in a way that is very similar to tea.

After a few minutes of brewing time, the beverage is ready to drink. The traditional vessel for mate is a gourd-shaped vase, and people drink it through a straw which contains a filter so that the powdery dried leaves aren’t drunk.

While many people think that mate is bitter and tough to drink, others would simply say that it is an acquired taste, much like coffee. Its high caffeine content and levels of antioxidants are raved about by the many enthusiasts of the beverage.

Have you ever tried mate? What did you think?

The post Mate, South America’s Favorite Hot Beverage appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

So, what exactly are chilaquiles? (pronounced chi-lah-KEE-les)

The name of this dish comes from a Nahuatl word meaning “chile water, edible plant.” Why is this?

Well, the base and most important part of chilaquiles are the fried corn tortillas, which serve as its base.

Gaining an appearance that is very similar to that of fried tortilla chips, small slices of corn tortillas are fried in oil until golden brown, and then placed on the plate as the base of the dish.

Next, on top of the fried tortilla strips, either a red sauce, a green sauce, or a mole sauce is poured. The type of sauced used depends on personal preference and/or the region in which your chilaquiles have been made.

Another important component of a respectable plate of chilaquiles is tender pulled chicken which is added to the sauce.

Finally, chilaquiles can be garnished with the toppings of your choosing. Common options include refried beans, sour cream, fresh cheese, and avocado. You can personalize them as you like!

Be sure to give chilaquiles a try as soon as you can!

The post What Are Chilaquiles? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

The dish has spread from there to other countries, most of which are Spanish-speaking. For example, now you can find different forms of ceviche in coastal Mexico and in various Central American countries.

The base of ceviche is marinated raw fish or seafood that has been soaked in a type of sauce in order to “cure” it.

The traditional form of ceviche, which can be found in most South American countries, calls for the fish or seafood to be marinated and cured in a sauce that consists principally of citrus juices and seasonings.

However, one popular form of ceviche sticks out and is common in Ecuador. This “tomato” ceviche calls for the acidic base of the sauce to be tomato, resulting in a very unique and interesting flavor.

The other additions to the ceviche usually include seasonings like garlic, aji, and salt. It’s also common to find vegetables such as onions and chili peppers mixed into ceviche.

This refreshing dish is a great choice for summer and warm days.

The post Ceviche: South America’s Favorite Seafood Dish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Taking in the scents and sights of fresh, delicious ingredients are a source of inspiration from anyone, from Michelin-starred chefs to normal people that make dinner every so often.

Here’s a look at five of the world’s coolest food markets.

La Boqueria: Barcelona, Spain

This market in Barcelona is not only gorgeous and one of Europe’s oldest, but is also a treasure trove of fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats.

Noryangjin Fish Market: Seoul, South Korea

If you are a seafood lover, this market in the South Korean capital might be for you. It has an astonishing variety and quantity of fresh and quality seafood.

Maketi Fou Market: Apia, Samoa

This market in the Pacific island country of Samoa is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and has everything under the sun that you might need.

Kupetz Eliseevs Market: Moscow, Russia

This might just be the most beautiful food market on Earth. Not only that, some of Russia’s best food products can be found here.

Mercado Central: Santiago, Chile

This Latin American market is the most important in Chile. Not only does it have vendors selling fresh products, but it also has delicious restaurant stands.

The post Take a Look at Five of the Coolest Food Markets on Earth appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

If so, this person was probably enjoying mate, which is a traditional South American beverage that is particularly popular and beloved in the countries of the Southern Cone region: Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, and some parts of Brazil.

Mate is a drink which is brewed from the leaves of the yerba mate shrub. The indigenous Guaraní and Tupí communities in what is now Paraguay were the first people to use the leaves from this shrub to make what is now known as mate.

The dried leaves from the plant are chopped and ground up into a powdery mixture and then placed in a pot along with hot, but never boiling, water, and the beverage steeps in a way that is very similar to tea.

After a few minutes of brewing time, the beverage is ready to drink. The traditional vessel for mate is a gourd-shaped vase, and people drink it through a straw which contains a filter so that the powdery dried leaves aren’t drunk.

While many people think that mate is bitter and tough to drink, others would simply say that it is an acquired taste, much like coffee. Its high caffeine content and levels of antioxidants are raved about by the many enthusiasts of the beverage.

Have you ever tried mate? What did you think?

The post Mate, South America’s Favorite Hot Beverage appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.