Nothing goes to waste when it comes to calentado, a traditional Colombian breakfast consisting of reheated leftovers from the night before. Chef Felipe describes this dish as “pure comfort food” with each family having their own unique combinations of ingredients. Calentado is definitely one of the best ways to use leftover rice, turning it into a colorful feast of flavors and textures. The Antioquia region features some of the locals’ favorite ingredients like rice, beans and steak, which are usually eaten for dinner, and then reheated as part of this hearty breakfast. Originating from a frugal past when the majority of Colombia’s population lived in poverty, calentado was born out of necessity, but now, with more access to the refrigerator, it has become a hearty meal that is usually served on the weekend along with coffee or hot chocolate. hot (via Atlas of Taste). There is no real recipe for calentado since all you have to do is reheat it, but this hearty breakfast can include rice, beans, plantains, steak, fried eggs, arepas, sausages, chicharrones and potatoes, seasoned or served with hogao.
