Venezuelan Salads

• Venezuelan foods have rich cultural influences. venezuela image by NL shop from Fotolia.com

  Salads are a flavorful complement to Venezuela's regional foods such as pabellón criollo -- a dish made of black beans, fried sweet plantains, white rice and semi-shredded meat. Venezuelan food has Italian, Spanish and French influences, as well as a strong Indian influence marked by ingredients such as cornmeal, an ingredient in the arepa and the empanada,

Quasacaca Salsa De Venezuela

• Quasacaca is a salad and a dip all in one. Actually a type of salsa, this salad consists of tomato, onion, avocados, bell peppers, cilantro leaves, lemon juice, salt and hot sauce. To make this salad, chop up the ingredients and mix them together. Diners can eat this salad cold or warm, with pasta or rice.

Arepa Reina Pepiada

• Arepa Reina Pepiada is the Venezuelan version of American chicken salad. For variety, Venezuelans wrap the chicken salad in an arepa or a cornmeal patty. Combine chicken, white cheese and black beans with guacamole, mayonnaise and pepper for a filling lunch or midafternoon snack.

Ensalada Caprese

• This Venezuelan salad has an Italian origin and influence. The Ensalada Caprese combines red and yellow tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, olive oil, parsley, basil and salt to create a colorful and spicy dish. Lightly toss all ingredients together and top with black pepper to taste.