A dazzling new international cookbook with 132 recipes from the bestselling author of the award-winning book, Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen

new international cookbook Amalia's Kitchen

“This book oozes tradition and authenticity with updated twists.” —Chef Gale Gand, author, teacher, TV personality In the highly anticipated sequel to her first Central American cookbook, Amalia Moreno-Damgaard goes beyond borders to explore modern takes on ancient Latin American recipes. Mesoamerica —or Middle America —has a rich history dating back to the Olmec, Maya and Aztec empires, and early […]

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Frescos – Amalia’s Kitchen

Amalia´s Kitchen - FRESCOS

Sodas could never take the place of a delicious fresco. They are chilled and served alone or over ice. Fresco in Guatemala is not the art of painting on wet plaster, but the art of making a wholesome fresh drink. Fresco in Spanish means fresh. Guatemalans accompany everyday meals with refreshing and wholesome fresh fruit drinks or roasted seed-based drinks. […]

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Vino y Cocina – Amalia’s Kitchen

Vino y Cocina Amalia´s Kitchen

Vino y Cocina with a recipe for a Guatemalan Tamarind Martini by Guatemalan Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard Despite the Spanish influence, wine has not been a popular drink in Guatemala. In the last few years, however, in connection with the foodie revolution, wine culture is developing among Guatemalans. From vinotecas (wine-tasting houses) and wine aficionados to a winery in La Antigua, […]

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Amalia’s Kitchen ¡Viva la Tortilla!

Amalia's Kitchen ¡Viva la Tortilla!

A great way to enhance any menu is to include the versatile and delicious tortilla. The corn tortilla dates back to pre-Columbian times and continues to make culinary history as it passes from generation to generation. As the “bread” of the southern region of North America (Mexico, Guatemala, and other Central American countries), it is a unifying force that feeds […]

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Latino diversity is beyond skin deep

Latino diversity is beyond skin deep

Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States is celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This is an opportunity to highlight and commemorate the contributions that American Latinos have made to the country throughout history. As the Latino demographic has grown to nearly 18 percent ($57 million) of the entire population, the movement toward making diversity a priority […]

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What is plant-based Food?

What is plant-based Food?

There is a trend that started some time ago which has picked up speed and is projected to continue to grow in the coming years. Plant-based foods is nothing new, however, dietary concerns, personal preferences, cultural traditions, financial gain, and even the environment are in great part fueling this growth. People with food allergies, sensitivity, intolerances, and personal preferences have […]

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SIMPLICITY & Freshness – Amalia’s Kitchen

SIMPLICITY & Freshness Amalia's Kitchen

“Vegetables and fruits are the stars of the Guatemalan side dish, as they are accesible, affordable, and of high quality” Guatemalans enjoy cooking and eating the wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables that are available at the mercados abiertos, or open markets. Many families go to the markets once a week, while others go once a day to get […]

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Churrasco a good Guatemalan BBQ for Father’s Day

Churrasco A Good Guatemalan BBQ for Father’s Day

Summertime calls for outdoor cooking and delicious food and what a better way to celebrate Father’s Day than with a scrumptious Guatemalan churrasco (BBQ). A good churrasco or parrillada can be as simple as grilling various types of meat paired with a few sides; however, a Guatemalan churrasco always comes with chirmol (charred tomato and mint salsa). A typical churrasco […]

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On Mother’s Day Sharing is Caring

On Mother's Day Sharing is Caring

Mother’s Day in Guatemala and a few other Central American countries is always on May 10 as opposed to different days in other countries. It is an ancient Christian celebration also celebrated by the Greeks and Romans. In modern times, this day celebrates all women who have played the role of a nurturing and good role model for any child […]

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Paying It Forward by Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard

Paying It Forward by Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard

As the Lent season nears, I reflect on past, present, and current times. Lent is indeed an occasion for reflection and prayer and for refocusing ourselves to our purpose. I have always felt a strong calling to help and support others, whether it is through teaching about food culture and healthy eating and sharing my story to inspire other entrepreneurs, […]

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A Weakness for Chocolate

A Weakness for Chocolate

I don’t have a sweet tooth per se, but I must admit that I have a weakness for chocolate because it’s not only delicious, it’s nutritious, too. And, it just may be the perfect treat for Valentine’s. Chocolate has boundless possibilities in the kitchen, and recently I developed something new and unique for a special presentation during Valentine’s week in […]

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Holiday Pie with a Guatemalan Twist

Holiday pie With a Guatemalan Twist

“I like to recreate traditional dishes and give them a Twist of the season, which by the way -have you ever eaten a slice of mole pumpkin pie?” As the holidays approach it’s time to start thinking about family and office gatherings. Perhaps the first things that come to mind are food and drink, and of course, the venue. When […]

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Guatemalan Gluten-Free Cuisine

Guatemalan Gluten-Free Cuisine

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, Latin cuisine was, for the most part, all gluten-free. This is still true to this day. As a professional chef, I routinely customize menus to the dietary needs and tastes of family, friends, and clients. As a Guatemalan, this comes easily to me. “Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that can occur […]

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Africa – The other side of Latin Cuisine?

The similarity between the cuisine of eastern Africa to that of Latin America. Traveling is perhaps one of the best ways to rediscover ourselves and our own cultures. During a recent trip to Tanzania and Kenya, I expected fantastic wildlife and outstanding scenery, but an unexpected surprise was to experience the similarity between the cuisine of eastern Africa to that […]

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Cuban Gastronomic Delights

Cuba's Gastronomic Delights

The Cuba that you may not know. Perhaps what most people associate with Cuba is communism, the embargo, or that it is an off-limits place for Americans, yet tourism is booming with visitors from Canada, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. Old Havana is beautiful. The food is delicious. There’s live music everywhere and the music is hot! and the music is hot. […]

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Amalia’s Kitchen – Eating Healthier, Calories are not created equal

Amalia's Kitchen

Calories are not created equal.  Eating healthier the old-fashioned way in Latin America was the way of our grandmothers, mothers, aunts and home cooks, who were not nutritionists or calorie freaks, but wise women with much common sense in the kitchen. This is the way I grew up, shopping at the mercado with my abuela (grandma) for fresh ingredients and […]

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Eating Healthier to Prevent a 21st Century Epidemic – Amalia’s Kitchen

Eating healthy to prevent A 21st Century Epidemic

Type 2 diabetes is a 21st century epidemic – the one that can be prevented through healthy eating education. Growing up in Guatemala taught me good eating habits for life. After all, fruits and vegetables, plentiful and wide-ranging, grow naturally in fertile soil under the Guatemalan sun. Home- cooked meals are inherently balanced, containing plenty of locally grown crops. Having […]

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Celebrating Latin Heritage: Amalia’s Kitchen

Latin Heritage

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of a month-long celebration of Latin culture in the United States – and what a great way to commemorate it with healthy, delicious cuisine. In this article we are celebrating Latin heritage with a recipe for Spicy Seafood Pasta. The weeklong observation began in 1968 by mandate of President Lyndon Johnson, and President Ronald Reagan […]

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Amalia’s Kitchen – Boosting Flavor while cutting Calories

Amalia's Kitchen

The healthier eating trend is stronger than ever in the United States. Native and African Americans and Hispanics are at the top of the risk group for Type 2 diabetes in America, according to the American Diabetes Association. This trend will have a ripple effect on neighboring countries in the coming years, as chronic diseases related to poor eating habits […]

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Amalia’s Kitchen Delicious Moments in Nicaragua

amalia's kitchen

While my heart and soul and culinary core are deeply Guatemalan, my desire and curiosity to learn about the synergies of all Latin cultures is only natural — after all, we share so many traits. From north to south and east to west, Latin America is rich not only in culture, but in unique cuisines. Recently, I traveled to a […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN Desserts with Heart

Amalias kitchen Guatemala

Sweets are the perfect ending of a great meal, especially if they are near and dear to our hearts. Although I don’t claim to have a very sweet tooth, when I do eat dessert I naturally gravitate to fruit-based tarts or fresh fruit salads, but when a special craving sets in, I often reminisce about the desserts I ate while […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Chirmol without Boundaries

food in Guatemala

Chirmol is a healthy delicious chunky sauce that can accompany a variety of foods. When you are in Guatemala, you are bound to hear the word “chirmol” used in various contexts, be it culinary or cultural. A group of friends can be chirmoleando or gossiping about something or someone. Chirmol can also refer to a mess or a mix-up, and a […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Squash It!

Guatemala food

Though they contain seeds, squash is a vegetable belonging to the cucurbitaceae family native to the North American and Mesoamerican regions. Within the five domesticated species there are many varieties from the United States to Central America. In Guatemala, there are diversities that are still not known elsewhere. Pear-shaped, dark-green-skinned güisquil and its albino cousin, perulero, are some of the […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Lent — Smørrebrød

Smørrebrød

Lenten season is also an opportunity to explore foods outside the normal realm of traditional choices. Cooking or eating out during season of Lent does not have to be difficult, it just takes a bit of awareness and creativity. Every year many Christians observe special diets during 40 days. As I listened to the priest’s sermon one recent morning at […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Family, Love and Guatemalan Chocolate

Guatemalan chocolate

I surely had a blast this past holiday season with family and friends visiting me for two weeks from Guatemala and Denmark. As we move into the New Year, and Valentine’s Day (día del Cariño) on the 14th, I want to share a dessert recipe that I made for them during their visit. I created classic chocolate-covered strawberries as an […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Latin Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Delights

Latin gluten free food

Guatemalan and Latin cuisine offer many suggestions for making traditional dishes in healthy ways without compromising flavor and quality. My food philosophy is practical and healthy. I grew up eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, lean proteins, unprocessed foods and healthy oils, such as canola and olive oil. Some Guatemalan cooking uses lard, but my grandmother avoided it […]

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