FAMILY FRIENDLY DINNER IDEAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD – PART 4: SOUTH AMERICA

south america recipe

Here are some easy South American recipes you can use to teach your kids geography and give some inspiration for cooking while you are home. Find out more about this series, or jump right in with part 4 of ‘Suppers from Around the World’ brings you easy South American recipes that your family will love.  Each day we will have a new continent of family dinner recipes until all 7 continents are done.

SOUTH AMERICA

South America is a western hemisphere continent, that some consider a subcontinent of the Americas. Bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and north by the Atlantic, the north American and Caribbean seas lie to the northwest. Fourth in size, with twelve sovereign states, the most popular cuisines include Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile. It’s not a surprise Brazil has a great influence on South American food, it is the most populous South American country and has half the continent’s population.

South American recipes have a great fusion of culture from Native American, African, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and IndianSouth Asian. The food customs mix European, North American and indigenous cuisines and vary greatly depending on the specific geographical regions.

south american meat

Traditional Fish Stew (Brazil)

Moqueca Baiana is a Brazilian fish stew recipe full of flavor. When you think of fish stew you may imagine something boring and bland. Brazilian fish stew with tomato coconut sauce and fresh lime is simple and anything but boring.

 

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It’s here, y’all! The infamous MOQUECA BAIANA. Can you believe it? You guys have been asking me for this recipe for years and I finally delivered. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷⠀ ⠀ If you’re a fan of Brazilian cuisine, you simply must make this dish. Bold, flavorful and exotic, this fish and shrimp stew is one of Brazil’s most famous dishes and is always a hit!⠀ ⠀ Have you ever tried moqueca? And have you tried cooking it at home? It’s such an easy recipe! And it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes!⠀ ⠀ If you haven’t tried it (or if you have but want to try my version), click the link in my bio to go to the recipe. Or DM me and I’ll send you the link. Enjoy! 😍⠀ ⠀

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Ceviche (Peru)

I first tried ceviche in Mexico and I fell in love. It was only later that I found that the dish originated in Peru. This raw seafood dish is ‘cooked’ in citrus juices, such as lemon or lime. At first, I was skeptical about ‘cooking’ fish in lemon juice, but was I wrong! It may sound odd, but when you think about it, it’s no different than sushi. This dish is spiced with chili peppers and seasonings and best consumed fresh. Try this easy ceviche recipe for yourself.

Beef Empanadas (Argentina)

Beef Empanadas are pastry and pies filled with meat and are VERY popular in South America. A street food staple, beef empanadas are easy to make and are a taste explosion of flavors. Here is a veggie empanada option.

Tom to Table has a great YouTube video which shows how to make traditional empanadas. He says 3 hours, but that includes time for chilling dough (1 hour) and meat. Best of all he also shows you how to make chimichurri sauce to go with them.

Looking for something sweeter? Try these apple empanadas.

Steak with Chimichurri Sauce (Argentina)

My husband is a huge steak fan. I am not the biggest steak fan, but that was before I learned about Argentinean Chimichurri sauce. This versatile sauce can be used as a marinade, to baste meat and as a dipping sauce. It’s also great if you are serving it on world-renowned Argentinean steak, but it works on any meat.

 

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Chimichurri sauce. I’ve been wanting to take part in @thelittleplantation ’s #eatcaptureshare challenge for awhile, but I could never seem to get my stuff together in time. Today’s challenge is the colour green. And man I love the green colours of spring lately. This delicious bowl of chimichurri sauce is re-visit on my editing style. If you scroll waaaay down to around 2016, this guy will show up. It’s so amazing how you style and knowledge and skills grow. So while I wasn’t able to fully shoot something new, I hope this still counts in taking part in the challenge 🙂 ~ Also, chimichurri sauce is oh so perfect for upcoming father’s day BBQ. Fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and little red pepper flakes. Spin together in a food chopper and you have the best sauce ever for grilled flank steak. 🤤 . . #eatcaptureshare #chimichurrisauce #chimichurri #fbcigers #eeeeeats #beautifulcuisines #f52grams #f52picnic #yegfoodie #foodfluffer #hocsupperclub #darktablemood #tv_stilllife #yeggers #bbq #darkfoodphoto #nikon_canada #foodblogfeed #foodstyling #foodphotography #lr_taste #thefeedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodart

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Chicken with Green Sauce (Peru)

Peruvian chicken with green sauce (Aji Verde) is able to be made quickly (40 minutes) so it’s great for any week night. Merging latin American and Asian influences, this dish provides a flavourful chicken that will please everyone. Feasting at Home has a great Peruvian Chicken recipe to serve with a avocado tomato cucumber salad.

Tamarind Sauce (Ecuador)

South American Tamarind Sauce is a great and versatile food that goes good with beef, duck and almost anything! Tamarind brings great sour tanginess and is great over a plate of beef stew. The meat slowly cooked in a sauce brings together an ideal mix of spicy, sweet and salty. The exact ingredients and quantities vary from one recipe to another, as it does from one region to another, but the objective is always the same: create a delicious tender meat that falls apart with a fork. Check out Laylita’s recipe for Beef Stew with Tamarind Sauce.

south american recipes

Check out the other continents:

Part 1: Asia

Part 2: Africa 

Part 3: North America

Part 4: South America

Part 5: Antarctica 

Part 6: Europe 

Part 7: Australia

Do you have an South American recipes you’d like to share?

About the author

Paige McEachren

Paige McEachren worked for 15+ years as a Corporate Communications Manager for world-leading technology and Pharmaceutical companies until she decided to leave the workplace and stay at home to help her two kids navigate life.