Pabellón criollo

Pabellón criollo is a traditional Venezuelan dish that is considered the national dish. It mixes elements from the three different cultures that intermixed during Spanish colonial times: Native Americans, Spanish and Africans. The name is a synonym to flag, since it was one of the main original associations. It is a plate of rice, shredded beef in stew and stewed black beans.

Variants
Common additions include tajadas (fried plantain slices) or a fried egg, and both of these variants have acquired slang names. A pabellón con barandas (baranda is Spanish for guard rail) is served with tajadas because the long plantain slices placed on the sides are humorously considered to be keeping the food from falling off from the plate. A pabellón a caballo (a caballo is Spanish for horseback riding) means with a fried egg on top, as though the egg were "riding" the dish. Besides these two main variants, people also add other things to the dish such as granulated sugar on the beans, Queso Palmita over the beans or hot sauce over the meat.

The shredded beef can be replaced by chigüire, shredded caiman meat or even freshwater fish depending on the region, time of the year (beef consumption is prohibited by the Roman Catholic Church during Lent; however, capybara and fish are approved) or personal taste.