Happy Holidays with Plenty Love,The Latino Way - Felices Fiestas desde el Trópico Panameño 
There is something about having "Latino blood" in our veins. There is something very special about being born in a Latin American country. My heart has deep roots of love and tears that travel deep,...to the center of our planet Earth. There is a cry of the long gone times that took away many of our traditions and childhood friends. There is a song with perfume of roses, and a thousand butterflies that travel along with the wind in this precious land.
When I was growing up, I used to ask my mom WHY I had freckles in my face. With a smile, every time she said…"you got them from me, and you can not change that…. In the family we all have freckles: we got them from your great great grandmother who came from France." I probably was ten years old or younger when I began questioning about my "turkey-egg-like" freckled face. I tried all the fading creams I could afford with the weekly saving of my daily allowance. None of them worked. Then, one day I woke up and realized I was wasting my time with all that nonsense imaginary war I had started with the freckles of my great great granny. Since that day everything made sense and I loved every sassy little caramel colored shade in my face. I loved my roots.
Too far the Land of Long Ago! BUT the people, the same people who one day came from far away lands and made Panama their home; they have brought gold to our culture. THIS time, I am not talking about "GOLD", the one that holds the atomic number 79. This time I am referring to the kind of "gold" that enriches a culture, the one that in silence shines (...sometimes loud too!) and shares the goodness of many lands in just only one.
This is our country: Welcome to Panama! And now, it is yours too! 
Next you will find a recap of some of the most delicious recipes we traditionaly enjoy during the holiday season. IF you have a special request for the candy, cake or any dish you remember eating while you were growing up in a Latin American country, hey!...this is your lucky day, send Us and email and we will do our best to fulfill your request.
Now the recipes:
- Tamales de Maiz Nuevo, Panamanian Style (EN)
- Pavo en Salmuera: 3 recetas deliciosas! (ES)
- Dulces para Navidad: Cake de Guineo al Ron (ES)
- Dulces para Navidad: Cake Negro de Cerveza (ES)
- Dulces para Navidad: Cake Morenito de Naranja (ES)
- Malvas Picantes para Chocolate Caliente (ES)
- From Chef Elena’s "El Amor por la Cocina" blog: "MY FATHER’S NEW YEARS DAY BARBECUE" (or How to roast a pig the Cuban way). Including: Lechón Asado a la Cubana (Roast Pork, Cuban Style), Arroz Congrí (Red Beans with Rice), Yuca con Mojo (Boiled Cassava with Garlic Sauce)
- Chef Melissa’s Fruit Cookies - Galletitas de Frutas (EN/ES)
- By Chef Melissa: Pie de Zapallo Crujiente, Galletas Gigantes de Zapallo y Chispas de Chocolate, Pan de Zapallo (ES).
- Chef Melissa’s Tropical Golden Gingerbread
- Almond Bread Pudding with Eggnog
- Turron de Pepita - Cashew Nougat
- 7 recetas para preparar deliciosos licoles caseros
We hope you enjoy the beautiful holiday season, with delicious meals featuring food from all over the world (including our recipes, of course!).
God bless you!
Chef Melissa
- by Chef Melissa
- December 24, 2010
- 10:19 am
Links Favoritos
Panama
- Municipio de Panamá
- Autoridad de Turismo Panamá
- Panama America
- ETC Blog Panama
- La Prensa Web
- Presidencia de Panamá
Panama Food Lovers
- Cocinova
- Boquete Guide
- Bollo Preñao
- Anne Walker's Kalu Yala
- ChowTrek - Road Feasts
- Sandy Dientes
- VaneValentine Food
- La Mesa de Freddo
- El Amor por la Cocina
- El Buen Diente
Panama Restaurants
Personal Chefs
Latinolicious
Blogs That Cook
Comentarios
-
Paul dice en The Best From the Tropics: Organic & Fairly Traded Chocolate from Panama
Hi Melissa, as a self proclaimed chocholoic, I have a weak …
-
MÓNICA LAZCANO SANTOS dice en La Receta del Dia: Almond-Orange Pound Cake and Uchuva Sauce
UN GUSTO VISITAR TU PAGINA Y ASÍ CONOCER DE LA GASTRONOMÍA …
-
gaby dice en La Receta del Dia: Pastel de zanahoria Melissa, con cubierta de queso crema
Hola! Melissa,megusta tus recetas gracias por compartirlas
Quisiera saber la …
Archives
Recetas Deliciosas
- Happy Holidays, the Corn-Quest Tales & a recipe to prepare “Turron de Pepita”!
- The Corn-Quest Tales, & a Delicious Recipe to Prepare “Tropical Golden Gingerbread”
- La Receta del Dia: Gazpacho (Sopa de tomate fria con camarones, garbanzos, pepino, maiz y cebollina)
- Receta Saludable y Deliciosa: Barras de Guineo y Zanahoria
- Horneado de Salmón
- La Receta del Dia: Salsa Picante de Mani (para ensaladas, aves y pescados)
- La Receta del Dia: Arroz con Leche, Anis y Naranja
- La Receta del Dia: Pudin de Zapallo con Merengue
- Codornices asadas con mayonesa de ajo rostizado
- Cooking with Saril = Jamaica = Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa
Comments
12.29.10 at 06:16 AM |
Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories and recipes! I’m lucky enough to have married into a Panamanian family (mother in law) and cherish my new family and culture. We are celebrating our Christmas together this weekend, and will be having a big dinner. What would the 1 thing be that I could make that would bring Christmas in Panama to our dinner? She is originally from Panama City Panama….thanks so much for your time!
12.29.10 at 07:36 PM |
What is the traditional bean dish eaten on New Years day? Do you have a recipe? Still in Montana for a couple more weeks, can wait to get back to Panama.
01.12.11 at 04:48 AM |
Best wishes for the New Year 2011!
Paz
Share Your Comment