A taste of Colombia

If you're after delicious and quick to prepare meals, then International cookery and hospitality management student Leidy Maldonado Ramirez recommends using recipes with canned beans.

"Canned beans are inexpensive and a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals. They're also gluten free and dairy free and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Leidy, a Desitination Australia Scholarship recipient, wants to give you a taste of her homeland and is sharing her traditional Colombian dish of braised red kidneys beans, flavoured with tomatoes soffrito and fresh bay leaves, served with roasted pork leg, steamed garlic rice and avocado.

"For me, this plate means love, fun, happiness and the possibility to share with loved ones, because that’s what usually happens when we are around the table."

This frijolada recipe can be alerted for vegans and vegetarians and makes 10 serves.

Frijolada ingredients:

• Red kidney beans, 2 cans (420g each)
• Tomatoes 1 can (420g)
• Green peas 1 can (420g)
• Garlics gloves 2 (5g) mince
• Red onion 100 g brunoise
• Fresh bay leaf 1
• Olive oil 8ml
• Coriander chopped and as a garnish 10 g
• Salt and pepper
• Avocado 2 as an accompaniment

Roast pork ingredients (remove for a vegetarian or vegan dish)

• Pork leg 1kg
• Vegetable oil 10 ml
• Salt 8 g
• Garlic powder 5g
• Italian herbs 5g
• Bay leave 2
• Coriander seeds 3g
• Cumin 3g
• Lime 1 (as a garnish)

Steamed garlic rice ingredients

• Long grain rice 350 g
• Garlic gloves minced 5g
• Olive oil 10ml
• Salt to seasoning

Frijolada method

1. In a medium-high heat pot, add the oil and when it is hot add the onion and garlic until golden brown.
2. Add the tomatoes and bay leaf and let it cook for 5 minutes.
3. Then add the red kidney beans with the liquid of one can, mix all the ingredients and reduce the heat to low. To help infuse the flavours, season with salt and pepper, cover with lid and let it cook for 30 minutes.
4. Wash the green peas and add to the red kidney bean mixture and cook for other 5 minutes.
5. Add the chopped coriander, taste and correct seasoning as desired.

For a vegetarian or vegan frijolada, skip ahead to the steamed garlic rice method.

Roast pork method

1. Preheat the oven 200°C
2. Using paper towel, pat dry the pork.
3. Using a sharp knife, deeply score the rind and fat of the pork, taking care not to cut through the meat and season the pork skin with salt.
4. Add salt, garlic powder and Italian herbs to the meat, taking care not to add any to the skin, because it can burn and spoil the appearance.
5. Place the pork leg on a wire rack and into a deep roasting pan. To bring flavour and a rich smell to the pork, add bay leaf, coriander seeds, cumin, water, wine or broth to the pan, ensuring the liquid doesn’t touch the meat.
6. Place the pork into the preheated 200°C oven for 40 minutes. Do not open the oven door during this period.
7. After this time, remove the pork from the oven and cover the meat with foil to prevent it from drying. Place the pork back into the oven and increase the temperature to 230°C. Rotate the pork every 10-15 minutes to ensure the meat cooks evenly.
8. Remove the pork from the oven and allow the meat to rest in the roasting pan for 10-15 minutes prior to slicing and serve with a slice of lime.

Steamed garlic rice method

1. Wash the rice twice.
2. Over medium heat, add oil to a pot and once hot add the garlic and cook until golden brown.
3. Add the rice to the pot and mix together.
4. Then add 600 ml of water and let the rice cook until the water is absorbed.
5. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid.
6. After 20 minutes, fluff the rice and remove from the stove.

Plating instruction

In a bowl add a scoop of frijolada (red kidney beans) and garnish with the coriander leaves. On a plate serve sliced pork with a slice of lime along with rice and avocado.