Bandeja Paisa - The Ultimate Colombian Feast

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225g) lean beef steak 8 ounces (225g) lean beef steak
• 4 ounces (115g) pork belly 4 ounces (115g) pork belly
• 4 ounces (115g) chorizo sausage 4 ounces (115g) chorizo sausage
• 1 cup (200g) cooked red beans 1 cup (200g) cooked red beans
• 1 cup (185g) cooked white rice 1 cup (185g) cooked white rice
• 2 ripe plantains, sliced and fried 2 ripe plantains, sliced and fried
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 4 fried eggs 4 fried eggs
• 4 arepas (cornmeal cakes) 4 arepas (cornmeal cakes)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 850 kcal / 3555 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 45g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 70g, 10g
• Protein: 45g
• Fiber: 10g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the grill or a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   Season the beef steak with salt and pepper, then grill or sear it until cooked to your desired level of doneness. Set aside to rest.
3. 3.
   In a separate pan, cook the pork belly until crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same pan, cook the chorizo sausage until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
5. 5.
   Reheat the cooked red beans and white rice.
6. 6.
   Fry the plantain slices until golden brown and crispy.
7. 7.
   In a separate pan, fry the eggs to your desired level of doneness.
8. 8.
   Warm the arepas in a toaster or on a griddle.
9. 9.
   Assemble the Bandeja Paisa by arranging the grilled steak, crispy pork belly, chorizo sausage, red beans, white rice, fried plantains, avocado slices, fried eggs, and arepas on a large platter.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef steak — For a tender and juicy steak, make sure to let it rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing.
• Pork belly — To achieve crispy pork belly, score the skin before cooking and cook it on high heat initially, then reduce the heat to render the fat and crisp up the skin.
• Chorizo sausage — Prick the chorizo sausage with a fork before cooking to prevent it from bursting.

Tips & Tricks

• If you can't find arepas, you can substitute them with corn tortillas.
• For added flavor, marinate the beef steak in a mixture of garlic, lime juice, and Colombian spices before grilling.
• Serve the Bandeja Paisa with a side of hogao, a Colombian tomato and onion sauce, for an extra burst of flavor.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a drizzle of Colombian hot sauce, such as aji picante, to your Bandeja Paisa.
• Don't forget to serve this dish with a refreshing Colombian soda, such as Colombiana or Postobon.

Serving advice

Serve the Bandeja Paisa on a large platter, allowing each guest to assemble their own plate. Encourage them to mix and match the flavors and textures to create their perfect bite.

Presentation advice

Arrange the ingredients on the platter in an aesthetically pleasing manner, with the vibrant colors of the avocado, plantains, and arepas contrasting against the rich browns of the meat and beans. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for a pop of green.