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 Panama Caribbean Cuisine

Cooking and "Making Do" in Panama

 

A Tribute to the "Make Doers" of the Criollos Generation!

  Soups

From the earliest habitation by Indans from South America, soup has staked its claim as one of the most traditional island foods. As in other parts of the world, soup's basic simplicity and versitility make it the perfect showcase for whatever is fresh and available. Caribbean soups will leave you hankering for more, especially thick, hearty concotions that make one sweat. Some of the titles (Mondongo comes to mind) may make one go "Yuck!" Black slaves were creative with what was allowed them. But there's nothing yucky about it. Don't prejudge my friends,. Give it a chance and that way you may discover a hearty delight.

Cow-Foot Soup with Beans

Caribbean Soup

(Sancocho)

Callaloo  and Potato Soup

Cold Mango Soup with Rum

Ingredients

1 whole cow foot

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 sprig fresh thyme

1 Scotch Bonnet chili pepper,

sliced

3 tablespoons curry powder

1/2 lb. cooked broad beans

Salt and freshly-ground black  pepper to taste

Procedure

Have butcher cut cow foot in small pieces. Place pieces in a large sauce pan, cover with water and simmer until  tender (2 1/2 to 3 hrs.) Remove bone  and discard.

Leave just enough liquid in the pan to make a gravy. Add nions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, chili, and curry  powder. Cover and simmer until liquid begins to thicken. Add cooked beans and simmer 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes 4 servings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

A. 3 quarts (12 cups) water

    1 onion, peeled 

    2 tomatoes

    1 green pepper,seeded

    1 sweet chili pepper,

     seeded 

    3 fresh culantro leaves 

(underlined items should  be coarsely chopped)

1 tablespoon salt

2 fresh corn kernels, halved

 

B. 1 lb. lean beef

    1/2 lb. lean pork

     meat with bone

 

C. 1/2 lb.yucca

    1/2 lb. yam 

    1/2 lb. sweet potatoes

    1/2 lb. potatoes

    1/2 lb pumpkin    

(ingedients in C. should be peeled and diced.)

 

D.  1 large green plantain

     1 large ripe plantain

      (peeled and diced)

 

E. 1 tablespoon salt 

    1/2 cup tomato sauce

 

Procedure

In a large, 12 quart kettle, combine ingredients  included in A. Bring rapidly  to a boil. Clean and wash meats. Cut into 1-inch cubes.

Add meats and bone to kettle.

Cover, reduce to moderate heat, and cook for 1 hour.

 

Wash vegetables included in C

 and add to kettle.

 

Rinse green plantain rapidly in

salted water. Drain and add to

kettle together with ripe plantain.

 

Add salt and tomato sauce and bring rapidly to a boil. Cover, and cook over moderate heat for 30 minutes.

 

Uncover, add prepared dumplings

(optional---(see separate dumpling  recipe) and cook rapidly for another 15 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

2 Quarts water

2 small smoked ham hocks

1/2 pd beef shor ribs

1 teaspoon salt

2 medium baking potatoes, diced

1-1/2 pds callaloo, chop

3 tablespoons bacon drippings

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1 Scotch Bonnet, chopped

 

Procedure

Pour waterinto a large pot: add

ham hocks, short ribs, and salt. Bring to a boil; remove foam with a skimmer or spoon. Reduce

heat and simmer 30 minutes,

then add potatoes and callalloo.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet,

heat bacon drippings; add onion

and bell pepper. Cook until

onion is transparent. Add soup to

soup with chile. Bring to a boil

and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes

then cover pot and cook until

potatoes are do. Make 6 servings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ingredients

5 mangoes

1 cup sugar

5 cups chicken stock (see Basics)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1 or 2 whole cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoon rum

1/2 cup whipping cream freshly gratted nutmeg if desired.

 

Procedure: 

Peel, seed and chop mangoes,  then place them  with the rest  of the ingredients except rum,   whipped cream and nutmeg in a heavy sauce-pan. Cook over medium heat; skim any foam from top. Reduce until about 1/4 of original liquid has vaporated, then press mixture through a sieve. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Add rum mmediately  before

serving. Whip cream in a small bowl. Top each serving with whipped cream and nutmeg, if desired. Make 6 servings.