Sunday July 20th – A riotous celebration of Colombian Independence Day
Ceviche de Ostion
Muestra de Tortillas
Arepa Flor Pepiada de Pato
Ropa Vieja en Bloque
Empanada de Chocolate con Queso
In deference to my very good friend and cooking partner Daniel (Colombian), we unknowingly celebrated Colombian Independence day on July 20th. I say unknowingly because the day was completely chosen at random. We had been speaking emphatically about cooking an entire meal of Central and South American inspired food. It was to come after pasta, seeing that we are both extremely influenced by Italian cooking (my nationality, Daniel’s passion and professional expertise) yet before a group of cold dishes that we hoped would give us relief from the oppressive heat of that wonderful July afternoon and the amplification that the kitchen so amiably added to it.
We selected a date at random, we sat down with friends; made a menu, and invited guests; only to realize when a very polite and amazingly gracious lady friend of ours came in gave us a big hug and exclaimed “Happy Independence Daniel!” Only for him to stare at her mouth agape and not being able to properly process what was said. Then to immediately try to play it off like it was planned and then to fail so miserably that he had started laughing so hard that he had to stop standing. History one of his best subjects, obviously.
Menu written with Daniel Castaño and Mark Low
Cooked with the gracious help of Daniel, Ashley LeBlanc and Nora Sherman (sorry if I was grump, it was the heat, I swear)
All photos by:
Nora Sherman © 2008
www.noraleah.com
