Families have food and drink recipes created and passed down from generation to generation. Some families are famous for their special dishes. Countries are no different in that they have special items that they grow and export. There are menu items that represent the country's self-image and identity. Cultural traditions will determine the what and why of a particular cuisine. These foods are served in restaurants and homes with pride. There will usually be a well-told story behind the selection. Agricultural conditions will sometimes play a significant role in the finished product. Some of the cuisines selected as specialties may be the same for another culture. The only difference might be the choice of toppings available to them or the side dishes served. History, heart and culture are the essential ingredients in a nation's favorite cuisine. The opportunity to indulge should never be turned down (Away2013). Identify popular food items Colombia's foods reflect the country's diverse landscapes and people. In coastal Colombia, arroz con coco, rice with coconut, is a popular dish (Parrott-Sheffer, 2013). Around the city of Bogotá there is a regional dish, a stew called ajiaco. The main ingredients of the stew are “chicken and three types of potatoes, corn and an herb called guascas” (Dinho, 2009). In Medellín, common foods are frijoles and chicharrones, beans, and pork rinds, respectively (Parrott-Sheffer, 2013). Like Colombia, Ecuador's landscape influences regional foods. A typical dish along the coast is ceviche, prepared with shrimp or shellfish, onions, coriander and lemon juice (Lotha, 2014). Other popular dishes along the coast are dee......middle of paper......getarian ceviche of chocho beans, coriander, tomato, onion, salt and lime. This dish can be topped with plantain chips or toasted corn. “Ecuadorian daily food includes seco de pollo, which is stewed chicken with rice and avocado slices” (Ecuador Food, 2014). Works Cited Food Journeys of a Lifetime: Top ten Great National Dishes (2013), Retrieved January 30, 2014, from http://away.com/feature/excerpt/nationalgeographic/top-ten-great-national-dishes-1. html?page=1South America (2014). Retrieved from http://www.southamerica.cl/Colombia/Drinks.htmMetropolitan Touring (2014) Retrieved from http://www.metropolitantouring.com/content.asp?id_page=3209Typical Colombian food: Colombia. (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.southamerica.cl/Colombia/Food.htmEcuador Food (Ecuadorian cuisine). (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.mapsofworld.com/ecuador/food/