Bienmesabe for a dinner party — went down extremely well

I made Bienmesabe for eight guests who had varying familiarity with the cuisine. Every single person asked for the recipe. The sweet-savoury from cornmeal base profile was the main talking point — no one had quite experienced papelón brown sugar used that way before.

hallacas Christmas preparation is a multi-day family tradition where the whole extended family participates. I explained the a Caracas arepera context as I served it which helped people appreciate it fully. ron Santa Teresa rum was what I offered alongside and it worked perfectly. Excellent dinner party dish — impressive without being inaccessible.