One of the most exciting things about traveling is experiencing new cuisines, and my time in Guatemala was no exception. Readers who know me will know that my sensitive stomach doesn't tolerate dairy, egg, or beef, so you may be wondering, Is this post going to be full of weird vegan, hippie seeds and stuff?
Actually, no! The bean, rice, corn, and fruit laden diet of Guatemala was absolutely perfect for me. Sure, I had to adjust to having three very full meals a day instead of just wandering around my kitchen or campus looking for snacks when I feel hungry (what I do at home). But the food was worth it, as you'll see...
BREAKFAST - 7:30 AM
Beans, Chicken Sausage, Tortillas, Pineapple, Papaya, Watermelon, and Coffee
MORNING SNACK - 10:30AM
Coffee and Sugar Cookies
Guatemalan coffee is good. And strooooong. At home, I can drink 4 cups of coffee and not really feel anything. I suspect that if I tried to do that here, I'd feel dizzy, loopy, and hyper for the rest of the day. Guatemalans also really like to dip things in their coffee. Conchitas. Cubiletes. Coronas (the bread, not the beer). Sadly, I could never find the popular Mexican marranitos that my roommate Ileana got me hooked on, but the array of choices at Xelapan just about made up for it.
Champurradas, the sugar cookies pictured above, were one of my favorites. They're crispy. They're just sweet enough to pair nicely with your coffee. They're just savory enough that you don't feel bad about eating four of them... I'll never forget that on the last day in my homestay, my host-Grandma offered to split the last Champurrada with me. That's love right there.
LUNCH - 1:30PM
Guatemalan Enchiladas and Apple Juice
Guatemalan enchiladas, on the other hand, are made of fried tortillas and covered with a variety of vegetables or meat. There are two types pictured above: the red and white ones have salsa, vegetables, and shredded chicken (made by my host mom). The green ones have guacamole and onions (made by my host sister).
I washed the enchiladas down with my host mom's homemade apple juice, probably my favorite beverage in all of Guatemala (although the mojitos are a close second).
AFTErnOON - 4:00 TO 7:00PM
When I finished my hot chocolate, I ordered a glass of wine. BECAUSE I CAN. The drinking age is 18 here. (On a related note, here's a pro-tip: Red Wine is NOT Vino Rojo in Spanish, it's Vino Tinto. Tinted Wine. It sounds classy, doesn't it?)
DINNER - 8:00PM
Chicken Pepian, Rice, Mini Tamales (corn dough), and Grape Juice
BONUS PHOTO: COOKING CLASS in the COUNTRYSIDE
Potato Tamales
The end result was DELICIOUS. I ate two. Make them yourself with this recipe.