Recipes 'Round The World! 🌍 Panama: Creamy Potato, Cheese and Avocado Soup

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Panamanian cuisine reflects the unique character of this narrow isthmus that connects two continents and two oceans, where indigenous Guna and Emberá traditions blend with Spanish colonial influences, Afro-Caribbean flavors, and international elements brought by canal workers from around the world. This comforting soup embodies the essence of Panamanian home cooking – where locally grown potatoes meet rich cheese and creamy avocados to create a dish that's both nourishing and deeply satisfying, representing the country's gift for transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary comfort food.

This beloved soup showcases Panama's agricultural abundance, where highland potatoes from Chiriquí province combine with fresh cheese and perfectly ripe avocados to create a harmony of textures and flavors that has sustained Panamanian families for generations. The dish represents more than sustenance; it's a celebration of Panama's position as a crossroads of cultures and the wisdom of creating warming meals that bring families together. Whether served in a mountain village in Boquete where coffee plantations dot misty hillsides, enjoyed in a Casco Viejo restaurant overlooking the Pacific while ships transit the famous canal, or shared during family gatherings in Colón where Caribbean breezes carry the scent of tropical flowers, this creamy soup connects diners to Panama's generous spirit and the timeless art of finding profound satisfaction in life's simple pleasures.

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝟰-𝟲)

- 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

- 8 oz fresh white cheese (queso fresco), cubed

- 2 ripe avocados, diced

- 1 large onion, diced

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

- 1 cup whole milk

- ½ cup heavy cream

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 1 teaspoon ground cumin

- ½ teaspoon white pepper

- Salt to taste

- Fresh cilantro for garnish

- Lime wedges for serving

- Crusty bread or tortillas

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

1. Sauté onion in butter until translucent, about 5 minutes.

2. Add garlic and cumin. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Add cubed potatoes and broth. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗶𝗹, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 until potatoes are very tender.

4. Partially mash potatoes, leaving some chunks for texture.

5. Stir in milk, cream, and cheese cubes. Heat gently until cheese begins to melt.

6. Season with salt and white pepper.

7. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲

- 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼

- Serve with lime wedges and warm tortillas

- Perfect with Panamanian coffee or fresh fruit juice

𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗮

Panama captivates visitors as a land of extraordinary contrasts, where the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal connects two great oceans while pristine rainforests harbor some of the world's most diverse wildlife, and where modern skyscrapers in Panama City rise beside the colonial charm of Casco Viejo's cobblestone streets. This comforting soup might be savored at a mountain lodge in Boquete while quetzals flash their brilliant plumage through cloud forest canopies, enjoyed at a seaside restaurant in Bocas del Toro where Caribbean rhythms mix with Pacific breezes, or shared during family celebrations in the highlands where coffee plantations stretch toward volcanic peaks shrouded in morning mist.

The dish embodies Panama's role as a bridge between worlds – where indigenous ingredients meet international influences, where every meal reflects the country's position at the crossroads of the Americas, and where hospitality transforms strangers into family over shared plates and flowing conversation. As you witness massive ships navigating the canal's locks in an engineering ballet that connects global commerce, explore the pristine beaches of San Blas where Guna people maintain their traditional island culture, or trek through Darién's untouched wilderness where jaguars still roam ancient forests, this creamy soup connects you to Panama's welcoming spirit – where potatoes represent mountain abundance, where cheese and avocados celebrate tropical richness, and where every shared bowl becomes a reminder that the best journeys are those that nourish both body and soul.

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