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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Revue Magazine December 2021

CLICK HERE FOR THE DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE OF REVUE MAGAZINE Although the December holiday season will once again be on the subdued side of things, the spirit of giving and good-cheer will not be abated. The Photo Contest for this month was Fiestas, and the photographs will transport us to those fun times past and help us imagine future celebrations. […]

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CHIRMOL without boundaries – Amalia’s Kitchen

Chirmol-Amalia´s Kitchen

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 chirmolero(a) can be someone who likes to stir up trouble. And chirmol is […]

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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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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 Kitchen Camaraderie

Guatemalan kitchen camaraderie

Guatemalan kitchen camaraderie with “mucho sabor” and comfort Perhaps one of the best ways to bond with anyone is in the kitchen. After all, this is a place where people gather to create delicious masterpieces and share experiences. I was invited once again to present at the World of the Latino Cuisine in New Jersey recently. This is an annual […]

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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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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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Guatemalan Hospitality at its Best

Every time I visit Guatemala I rediscover the magic of its people. As I write this article, I find myself surrounded by spring-like weather and mesmerizing scenery in La Antigua Guatemala. As Lent approaches, I have been carefully observing the preparations for the big celebration, from the specially decorated floats and devoted volunteers signing up to carry them, to the […]

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Amalia’s Kitchen – A Latin Culinary Romance

Amalia's Kitchen

My curiosity and love of food have often taken me to new and exciting places. This winter, I traveled to South America and the Caribbean. I tasted familiar and different dishes worthy of celebrating. February marks the right time, wherever you may be, to rejoice on delicious cuisine with friends, family or that special someone. While in Buenos Aires, Argentina, […]

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The Perfect Holiday Turkey

The Perfect Holiday Turkey

Turkey is quite possibly the most delicious main dish of the holiday kitchen. In the United States, it is consumed year-round in sandwiches and other preparations and it reaches a higher status at the Thanksgiving table. In Guatemala, turkey is the key ingredient of Kack Ik, a Mayan stew from the region of Coban, and of festive meals during the […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN – Guatemalan Cuisine

text & photos by chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. (AmaliaLLC.com) The Joy of Fiambre Many Latin countries celebrate the Day of the Dead — and in Guatemala, it is taken to the next level. Friends and families in Guatemala come together every year to prepare and eat fiambre on Nov. 1, All Saints Day (Day of the Dead). Fiambre is an […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Frescos

Antigua Guatemala food

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. Soda is often an afterthought and something they serve for special occasions; sodas could never take the place of […]

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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: Wholesome Resolutions (recipes included)

Wholesome burger with fries

New Year’s resolutions come in many ways and forms. Mine usually include sticking to healthy cooking and eating habits for health and well being. Cooking healthy doesn’t have to be bland, difficult, or boring. Guatemalan cuisine, like other cuisines, has its own distinct cooking techniques. Today people are more aware about food than ever as the sharing of information has […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN: Festive Desserts for the Holidays from Guatemala

Desserts Guatemala

When you have a sweet tooth, Guatemala has plenty of options to offer, from decadent desserts to lighter, fruit-based treats. I must admit that I have a weakness for some sweets made either with fresh fruits or dark chocolate. While growing up in Guatemala, I got used to this because my mother and grandmother rarely made heavy desserts. When I […]

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Guatemalan Cuisine Overview

by chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. (AmaliaLLC.com). Located in the heart of Mesoamerica, Guatemala is the cradle of the Mayan civilization and as such it was an important agricultural and cultural hub. Many key species of crops emerged, including corn, tomatoes, chilis, squash, beans, potatoes and chocolate. Guatemalan indigenous cuisine incorporated the food of the ancient Mayas prepared according to rustic […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN Guatemalan Cuisine

Discover the Succulent Loroco. text & photos by chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. (AmaliaLLC.com) There are many luscious edible flowers in Guatemala, but loroco is at the top of the list. This delicate, flavorful and aromatic flower bud is native to Guatemala and neighboring El Salvador. It is used in tamales, stews, empanadas (baked or fried pockets made with a variety of doughs […]

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AMALIA’S KITCHEN – Guatemalan Cuisine

A TRIBUTE TO CALDO DE RES text & photos by chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. (AmaliaLLC.com) Caldo de res (beef and vegetable soup) is possibly the most popular soup in the region surrounding Guatemala City. While delicious and nutritious, this soup has some history behind it and a lot in common with the soups of other countries. Soup in Guatemala is sopa […]

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