Ready for the New Year
The holiday season was a blast here in Apartadó! I am so blessed to have such an amazing Colombian family. We decorated the house for Christmas, lighted candles in front of our doorway for Dia de Velitas (Day of the Little Candles), celebrated the Quinceañera of my host sister Angie, made natilla and we welcomed a new baby into the family just a few days before Christmas!
Campamento de Jovenes (Youth Camp) was in the beginning of December in California, Chocó. We discussed what it means to be “Enamorados con Cristo” (In Love with Christ), the different types of love and what it means to be a Christian. It was great time spent with amazing people from the Uraba community.
Since we are in vacations right now I have been filling my time with family and preparation for the next year! As my main project I have been cleaning and organizing the library to create an alternative classroom for not only me with my smaller groups of students but other teachers that might like to use the space. I have painted some tables to give them more character, added a whiteboard, a bulletin board and organized the books. I also have been trying to strategize how to individualize my classes more to benefit the students in the coming year and even painting the lunch tables to give them more life!
Juan Camilo, a former teacher at the Colegio Americano, allowed me to join him in teaching one of his English classes of adults in Bajirá, Chocó just two hours away from Apartadó. It was an amazing opportunity to see the hard work and energy put into the class by the students who are so eager to learn more.
My family came and Aaron came to visit me also! It was amazing to see them and show them the life I have here in Colombia. We first visited Medellín and saw the beautiful christmas lights, Parque Arví and then Guatapé which is just a short trip outside of Medellín. In Guatapé there is Piedra del Peñol which is a giant rock with staircase totaling up to 740 steps and an astonishing view of the water. There is also the colorful town with beautifully painted walls. I would definitely recommend! For the New Years celebrations, we made our way in bus to Apartadó and I was able to ring in the new year with both my adopted family and my actual family. It was perfect!
Thankfully school is starting back next week and I will be able to have a regular schedule again. I am ready to see what 2018 is going to bring!
Natilla and buñuelos are an awesome foods that EVERY family makes here just before Christmas. I know it isn't the Christmas season anymore but it is definitely food worth trying! Take a look at this recipe and the links below!
Natilla Recipe (6 servings)
Ingredients:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup grated coconut
2 cinnamon sticks
1 can (14 oz) condensed milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar or to taste
Pinch salt
1 tablespoon butter
Cinnamon powder to taste
Instructions:
Place 1 cup of milk in a small bowl, add the cornstarch and stir to dissolve it, then set aside.
Place the coconut milk and grated coconut in the blender and blend until smooth and set aside.
Place the rest of the milk and cinnamon sticks in a medium pot and bring the mixture to boil over medium-low heat. When the milk is a little warm, but not boiling, add the coconut mixture.
When the milk starts boiling, add the condensed milk, sugar and salt. Stir well with a wooden spoon. Add the milk and cornstarch mixture and continue stirring constantly.
Add the vanilla extract. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until the Natilla thickens, about 10 to 20 minutes. Add the butter, stir and remove from the heat. Discard the cinnamon sticks. Ladle into a serving dish or individual custard cups. Sprinkle cinnamon powder on top and let it cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Buñuelos
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil for frying
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup yucca flour or tapioca starch
1 cup finely grated feta cheese
1/2 cup finely grated Queso fresco or fresh farmer cheese
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch salt
1 tablespoon milk
Instructions:
1. Place all the ingredients, except the oil in a medium bowl and mix well using your hands until soft dough is obtained.
2.Form small balls using your hands
3. In a deep pot, heat the vegetable oil to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (Warm, not very hot). Carefully drop the balls in the warm oil. Cover the pot and after about 3 to 4 minutes, turn the heat up and fry until golden brown.
4. Remove from the oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve.
https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/natilla-colombiana-colombian-style-pudding
https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/bunuelos-colombianos-colombian-bunuelos
