There is a very appropriate proverb that states we never know what we’ve got, until it’s gone. That’s is how I feel about my country, Venezuela. I was born and raised there and lived there until I was 18, when I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In my country most people dream of leaving the country and coming to America, where there are better opportunities, education, freedoms, and safety. I am truly blessed to have achieved those goals that most people only dream of. However, I really miss my country, my family, my friends, and authentic Venezuelan Food.
I am not much of a cook, but in order to have some Venezuelan dishes, I’ve had to learn how to make them myself. Not knowing much about cooking has made it very tough. In Fort Lauderdale, especially in the very Venezuelan-Populated town of Weston, or as we call it, Weston-zuela, the transition wasn’t even noticeable. There are Venezuelan restaurants, bakeries, and even “areperas”. Sometimes you can find Venezuelan products that you can’t even find nowadays in Venezuela.
However, I had to move to Montgomery, Alabama, where I have only met two other Latin American friends, and no Venezuelans. I was lucky to find the Venezuelan “Harina PAN” in one Mexican market, but that was only once. I visit Fort Lauderdale at least once a year, so I stock up on Harina PAN and any other Venezuelan product I can find.
The nostalgic feeling about Venezuela in general and about Venezuelan Cooking and authentic Venezuelan Food is what inspired me to write this blog. The way I figured it is that if I was missing my country and food, and was unable to find ingredients or ingredient substitutes, I was sure there were other people out there in the same boat, and maybe we could help each other out. I also thought about all the times I have cooked some delicious Venezuelan food for some of my American friends and what a success it always was. I figured, if they like it, then other people who are not Venezuelan might like it too.
So there you have it. This is a blog about Venezuelan Cooking and Authentic Venezuelan Food, by a non-chef, simple Venezuelan girl, who just misses her country and food. An authentic Venezuelan who wants to share anecdotes, tips, ingredients, and photos of her own journey in creating and finding authentic Venezuelan flavor in the US.
I am truly enjoying reading your blog, you are doing a GREAT job! I am also a Venezuelan that emigrated 7 years ago to Texas and I feel exactly the same nostalgic feeling for our Venezuelan Food, and that’s my first choice when I entertain or cook in a daily basis. My daughters “demand” arepas, empanadas, bollitos, etc… all the time. And my american hubby has fun when I cook a dish with my Latin Twist. Example: Classic Maryland Crab cakes with “Aji Dulce” sauce (he LOVED it!). Keep up with the good work!
Carolina,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am glad my blog inspires you and helps you bring the Venezuelan flavors to your home in Texas.
MW
I also love Venezuelan food and enjoyed it while working in Caracas for a telexom project. I can not get this type of food in Canada unfortunately. My favorite was a tea house serving arepas close to the office. I miss my dear friends from Venezuela.
JB,
Thank you for visiting the blog, and thank you for your comment. What part of CANADA do you live in? I have relatives in Calgary and they know other Venezuelans there, and they assure me they are able to find the necessary ingredients to make their own Venezuelan food!
You should definitely try to find a hispanic community and/or market nearby and see what they can offer. Some little markets also sell ready made foods like arepas, empanadas, pastelitos and such. I hope you get lucky and you are able to sample some authentic Venezuelan food in Canada.
MW
please a recipe for bollos pellones and polenta venezuelana
Maria,
Thank you for your comment. My husband saw a picture of “Bollos Pelones” in one of my cookbooks and has always wanted me to make them. Perhaps I will try to make them soon. Thank you for the request.
MW
I was born in Venezuela but raised in the US, and grew up on all of these dishes! I moved away for college three years ago and realized that I had never learned how to actually make any of it. It is so great to have these detailed recipes available here, especially since “recipes” given to me from my family often include “a little bit of this” and “a handful or so of that”. To someone who doesn’t really cook, it is very easy to mess up based on those instructions! So THANK you for helping me enjoy my culture away from home!
Dear Sam,
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your story. It always makes me happy to hear that other Venezuelans are able to create their childhood favorites thanks to my recipes and my blog. And I know exactly what you are talking about when you say all recipes given to you by your family are “al ojo por ciento”, which is not very helpful.
MW