Bandeja Paisa (Paisa Platter)

Bandeja Paisa is probably the most popular Colombian dish, originally from the Andean region of the country where the people are called “Paisas” and the area where I was born and raised. Bandeja paisa is something I’ve eaten all of my life and if I have to choose my last meal on this earth, this is the one. Tradionally, Bandeja paisa includes beans, white rice, chicharrón, carne en polvo, chorizo, fried egg, ripe plantain, avocado and arepa, but you can substitute the powdered beef for grilled beef or pork. I usually make the beans and powdered beef the day before to make it easier.