Colombian Gastronomic Week at Spices

The similarity to Philippine cuisine was quite interesting. Perhaps it had something to do with the abundance of coconuts in their country as in ours and  the Spanish influence in both  our history.

Last October 2, was privileged to  have been invited to experience Colombian Gastronomic Week at Spices at The Peninsula Manila.

Colombian Chef Rey Guerrero who is on tour and who just got back from Belgium and Germany, was in  the country from October 2 -5 for the Colombian event. . He will be in Beijing and Vietnam after.

For our welcome drink, we enjoyed  Jugo de Tamarindo   a  mix of rum, tamarind, lime and sugarcane. Quite a refreshing drink to start the evening. We also tried the Lemonada de Coco  which is reminiscent of the familiar Pina Colada.

Per Chef Rey Guerrero, although our cuisine differ in both preparation and technique , the bridge to both our culture is the similarity in ingredients. Like the Philippines, Colombia is also a bio diverse country when it comes to ingredients

A P P E T I Z E R

Aborrajados De Pescado

Deep fried Plantain Coconut Croquette

with smoked sea bass and cheese topped with sesame sauce

Ceviche Mixto Piangua Y Piacuil

Ceviche of mangrove clams and snails

Snails and clams were harvested from mangroves in Pacific region of Colombia. Clams, snails, cilantro, garlic water,  lemon,salt, pepper, vinegar vinagre blanco , coconut milk,soy sauce are the ingredients. Final touch was the  oregano smoke for 2 minutes.

Patacones Endiablados

Shredded Fried Plantain bathed in shrimp sauce and parmesan cheese

E N T R E E

Cazuela de Mariscos

Seafood casserole cooked in coconut milk seasoned with coriander and penny royal. Think bisque.

Pandao de Pescado

Seabass fillet wrapped in banana leaf topped with coconut milk and fresh herbs.  Fish was tender, flaky and melt in your mouth

Arroz Putiao

Rice sauteed with seafood and longaniza

D E S S E R T

Dulce Pacifico

Fruit ice cream on caramelized coconut candy.  Ice cream had the texture of a sorbet . Caramelized coconut candy reminded me of bukayo

Flan Aromas de Nuqui

Coconut flan topped with coconut and anise syrup

#penmoments

Overall,   the whole experience made me curious about Colombia . Adding now in my bucket list. Chef  Rey Guerrero's cuisine is quite  simple , doable and scrumptious.