One of the most delicious, abundant, and exquisite dishes in Colombian cuisine, the Bandeja Paisa is a culinary experience like no other. Its ingredients make it a unique treat for the palate, establishing it as a culinary symbol of the department of Antioquia.
If you have a hearty appetite, the Bandeja Paisa from Medellín is perfect for you. Not only will we teach you how to prepare it, but we will also suggest some of the best places to find this iconic dish of Antioqueñan cuisine.
HOW TO PREPARE A GREAT BANDEJA PAISA
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- 1 or ½ pound of cooked white rice
- Green onion
- Oil
- Ripe tomatoes
- 1 or ½ pound of red beans (it’s recommended to soak them in warm water the day before preparation)
- Water
- Stew tomato (Tomate de guiso)
- Ripe plantain
- 1 or ½ pound of ground beef
- ½ pound of chicharrón (fried pork belly)
- Chorizo
- Avocado
- Small round arepas
Preparation Steps:
- Preparation the Day Before:
- Soak the red beans in warm water overnight and cook white rice.
- Making the Hogao (Colombian Sauce):
- Dice the green onion and sauté it for 3 to 4 minutes. While sautéing, chop the tomatoes and, if desired, some garlic, then mix and sauté them with the onions. This will be your hogao.
- Cooking the Beans:
- Drain the soaked beans and place them in a pressure cooker, mixing them with the hogao. Add some water and cook over medium heat for about thirty minutes.
- Cooking the Meats:
- While the beans are cooking, cook the ground beef and chorizos in a pan.
- In another pan with a bit of oil, fry the chicharrón and prepare the fried eggs.
- Serving: Once the beans, meat, chicharrón, chorizos, and eggs are cooked, you can start serving. Generally, everything is served on a single plate; however, if the beans are soupy, you can serve them in a separate bowl. Don’t forget to add avocado.
And there you have it, a delicious Bandeja Paisa made by you!
WHERE TO FIND A GREAT BANDEJA PAISA IF YOU’RE NOT INTO COOKING
If cooking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Here are some places to try Bandeja Paisa in Medellín and Bogotá:
In Medellín:
- El Pueblito Paisa:
- Known for offering one of the best Bandeja Paisas in the region and the country, not just because of its taste but also its size. Here, you can enjoy a great Antioqueñan lunch while exploring one of the most important tourist destinations in the region, where you’ll find crafts and lookout points perfect for appreciating the city.
- In Bogotá:
- La Arepita de Medellín: One of the best paisa restaurants in the country’s capital. It’s located in Parkway, La Floresta, and Cota. A 100% paisa restaurant, making it the ideal place to try a Bandeja Paisa without being in Antioquia.
- El Envigadeño:
- One of the most traditional paisa taverns in Bogotá, located at Calle 23 No. 5-19, near the National Library of Colombia. It specializes in Antioqueñan cuisine, offering a chance to try any typical dish from the region.
Don’t miss the opportunity to prepare and enjoy this great Colombian dish.
