Rice is a product originating from Asia. It is not known exactly whether it comes from China or India. Currently, it is considered the most consumed grain in the world, and its cultivation reached some countries in the American continent. Among them is Panama, where a significant Chinese immigration occurred, bringing with them their respective dishes and products, such as rice.
The King Grain
Today, rice is the most consumed grain by Panamanians. This leads to the availability of different rice-based dishes that are part of the country's typical meals.
Among the most notable dishes are rice with beans, "ropa vieja," rice with pigeon peas, rice with chicken, seafood rice, rice stew, rice with sweetbreads, rice pudding, and pineapple rice.
Rice with beans is one of the most consumed dishes during lunch. It consists of white rice accompanied by beans or peas and some vegetables like tomato.
"Ropa vieja," on the other hand, consists of shredded cooked meat with tomato, garlic, onion, pepper, and rice. In Panama, it is typically served with fried plantains (patacones) and pieces of fried plantains.
Rice with pigeon peas is considered a typical Panamanian traditional dish. Its ingredients include long-grain rice, vegetable oil, onion, pigeon peas, cilantro, water, and salt.
The rice is shaped into a kind of cylinder decorated with a sprig of parsley, giving it an elegant presentation. It is usually enjoyed with stewed meat and vegetable salad.
Panamanian Tradition
Rice with chicken is another classic traditional Panamanian dish. While the recipe has become popular in other countries, Panamanian chicken rice is characterized by its unique flavor combination and preparation.
Its ingredients include rice, chicken breast, onion, celery, annatto, olives, capers, tomato, peas, carrot, pepper, salt, and garlic. It’s especially enjoyed during lunch and, due to its ease of preparation, is common in family settings.
Following rice with chicken, there is seafood rice. This dish is popularly enjoyed on Panama’s beaches.
Since the country borders both oceans, seafood is relatively affordable and known for being fresh and high quality. Seafood rice is made with rice, various types of seafood, shrimp, coconut milk, parsley, garlic, onion, and cilantro. Some restaurants season it with lemon to enhance the flavor and often decorate it with parsley leaves for a better presentation.
A Delicious Seafood Stew
The Panama-style seafood stew, or "guacho," consists of a rice porridge cooked in broth. There are two popular variations: seafood and pork tail stew. Other versions that are also frequently ordered include chicken, bean, and pigeon pea stews.
The ingredients can vary based on personal taste, but commonly include rice, yuca, yame (a root vegetable), garlic, tomato sauce, sweet pepper, and cilantro. The presentation also varies: some serve all ingredients mixed, while others serve them separately.
Another variation is rice with sweetbreads. It’s prepared with sweetbreads, rice, red pepper, onion, garlic, mushrooms, tomato, chicken broth, olive oil, saffron, bay leaf, and salt. It’s considered a variation of chicken rice, with a similar flavor but different ingredients and preparation methods.
After discussing the savory traditional lunch dishes, we come to dessert. One popular sweet is rice pudding, considered one of the most beloved desserts in Panamanian cuisine due to its affordability and easy preparation. Its ingredients include rice, liquid milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, raisins, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Next is a beverage: Panamanians enjoy pineapple rice. It’s regarded as a delicious and refreshing drink. Its ingredients are rice, pineapple, water, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar. The characteristic feature of this drink is that the entire pineapple, including its peel, is used in preparation. It’s also recommended to add chunks of the fruit for a thicker, more flavorful touch.
