Patacones Con Hogao (Colombian-Style Fried Plantains with Tomato-Onion Sauce)

You can serve these as-is as a side dish (they commonly go with whole fried fish), or you can make a sauce for them.

Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup)

All potatoes originated in the Andes, and Colombia has quite a selection of them, the best being the small, yellow, creamy, buttery papas Criollas. They're eaten deep fried, salt roasted, boiled, or—my wife's favorite method—cooked into ajiaco, a classic chicken and potato soup from the mountains around Bogotá.

Fried Plantains With Black Beans, Roasted Poblanos, Avocado, and Pickled Red Onion

[Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt] Patacones are the Colombian equivalent of Caribbean tostones—double-fried green plantains. Just like cooking a french fry, you start with a starchy chunk of green plantain, cook it once at a low temperature, then cook it a...

Quick and Easy Dairy- and Fat-Free Colombian Vegetable Soup (Ajiaco Negro)

This quick and easy dairy-free, fat-free Colombian vegetable soup comes out creamy and comforting thanks to the natural thickening power of potatoes. No added cream, milk, or butter means that the soup shines with vegetable flavor from peas, fava beans, carrots, and carrots. The stovetop version takes about 45 minutes of hands-off work while the pressure cooker can cut that time down to under half an hour.

Sopa de Albóndigas (Colombian-Style Meatball Soup)

Colombian-style meatballs are simple to make with the food processor and cook directly in a hot, seasoned broth. They're flavored with a mixture of onion and tomato known as hogao, along with capers. Crisp fried potatoes add texture to the finished soup.

Vegan Cashew Milk–Braised Green Plantains

Dense and meaty green plantains are hearty enough to stand on their own in this creamy cashew sauce. We simmer the thick slabs of plantain in a blend of rich cashew milk, bright herbs, and aromatic spices for balanced flavor and a vibrant hue. Although it's substantial enough as a main course, its bright acidity makes this the perfect side to grilled fish or sautéed shrimp as well.

Maduros (Fried Ripe Plantains) with Mint Mojo

Ripe plantains are slow-fried in oil until deeply caramelized and sweet. They get served with an herbal mint and parsley mojo sauce that brings a bright, acidic element to the sweet-and-savory snack.

Vegan Peanut, Sweet Potato, and Kale Soup With Coconut

The version of West African groundnut soup I ate in my youth was a thick, peanut-packed broth made with chicken, spices, and tomatoes, but recipes for maafe (as it's called in Mali) vary hugely.

Binakol na Manok (Filipino Chicken and Coconut Soup)

This aromatic soup has subtle sweet notes from the coconut, floral hints from the lemongrass, and is slightly bitter from the addition of moringa leaves (also known as the horseradish tree).

Sopa de Lima (Yucatán Style Lime Soup)

Sopa de Lima is a bright and citrusy Mexican chicken soup that will tantalize your taste buds. This comforting soup is easy and delicious.