A paila is an earthenware

Earthenware

Earthenware is a common ceramic material, which is used extensively for pottery tableware and decorative objects.-Types of earthenware:Although body formulations vary between countries and even between individual makers, a generic composition is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15%...

 bowl

Bowl (vessel)

A bowl is a common open-top container used in many cultures to serve food, and is also used for drinking and storing other items. They are typically small and shallow, although some, such as punch bowls and salad bowls, are larger and often intended to serve many people.Bowls have existed for...

 used as a plate

Plate (dishware)

A plate is a broad, concave, but mainly flat vessel on which food can be served. A plate can also be used for ceremonial or decorative purposes.-Materials:...

 in several South American countries. Dishes served in a paila are often prepared in it inside an oven. By extension the word paila is also used for the dishes eaten in it such as Paila marina

Paila marina

Paila marina is a traditional Chilean seafood stew usually served in a paila . Paila marina is usually a shellfish stock containing different kinds of cooked shellfish and fish. These are complemented with a variety of herbs and spices such as garlic, cilantro, onion....

 and Paila de huevo. An advantage of this dish is that clay retains heat well and keeps foods warm.

In Colombia in the department of Nariño, there is the ancient tradition of the "ice pail." This presentation is performed by placing the bowl on ice and and adding ingredients such as fruit, which is stirred to form an ice cream.

In gastronomy, Chilean and Peruvian clay pans are used to cook cornbread

Cornbread

Cornbread is a generic name for any number of quick breads containing cornmeal and leavened by baking powder.-History:Native Americans were using ground corn for food thousands of years before European explorers arrived in the New World...

 and other specialties such as pan

Bread

Bread is a staple food prepared by cooking a dough of flour and water and often additional ingredients. Doughs are usually baked, but in some cuisines breads are steamed , fried , or baked on an unoiled frying pan . It may be leavened or unleavened...

 or "pan marina."

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