Sopa Paraguaya

Sopa paraguaya is a typical example of a misnomer (a word with a misleading meaning) - although sopa translates to soup, this traditional Paraguayan dish does not even resemble it. In fact, it is a type of thick cornbread flavored with cheese and onions.

There are numerous stories connected to the origin of the dish and many explanations for the unusual name. The most common version claims that the dish was an accidental invention of a personal chef who cooked for the Paraguayan president Don Carlos Antonio López.

The chef wanted to prepare a hearty corn soup for the president but accidentally put too much corn flour into the pot, making the consistency of the soup more solid than liquid. With no other options, the alleged soup was served as a corn bread. Fortunately, the president loved this creation, and the dish was later made famous under the wrongfully given name.

Today, sopa paraguaya is one the national dishes of the country and a staple during special occasions or festivities. It's traditionally eaten as an accompaniment to soups or barbecued meat, but the corn bread is also a very common breakfast or afternoon snack.