Aji Panca Paste Recipes

PERUVIAN CHICKEN RECIPE (POLLO A LA BRASA)

Steps:

• Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and set it into a large bowl.
• Whisk together the garlic, soy sauce, aji amarillo paste, honey, aji panca paste, paprika, oregano, coriander, cumin, lime juice and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour it over the chicken and gently rub it into the skins.
• Cover and refrigerate. Marinate the chicken at least 1 hour, or overnight for more flavor penetration. A longer marinade is best.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and set into a large cast iron skillet or baking dish. Pat dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake the chicken for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Chicken should measure 165 degrees F internally when measured with a meat thermometer.
• Remove, tent with aluminum foil, and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• Whisk together the aji amarillo paste, mayonnaise, crema or sour cream, tomato paste, shallot, lime juice and salt and pepper. You can either mix by hand or use the processor for a thinner consistency.
• Adjust for salt and pepper and serve with the roasted Peruvian chicken.

PERUVIAN ROASTED CHICKEN WITH SPICY CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, soy sauce, aji amarillo paste, lime juice, aji panca paste, mustard, cumin, pepper and salt.
• Add chicken halves, turning to coat them all over with marinade. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with oil.
• Roast until skin is golden and chicken is cooked through, 35 to 45 minutes (if using chicken parts, remove the breasts after 25 to 35 minutes). Remove from oven and let sit, loosely covered with foil, for 10 minutes before serving.
• While chicken is roasting, make the sauce. In a blender, blend cilantro, jalapeños, feta, garlic, lime juice, oregano, salt, mustard, aji amarillo paste, honey, and cumin until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil until mixture is emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt or lime juice or both.
• Carve the chicken and serve with the sauce and lime wedges on the side.

AJI PANCA PASTE

Steps:

• Stem and devein the ajies (keep some veins if you want a very spicy paste).
• Toast in dry skillet over high heat for a few minutes, then blanche.
• Blanche 1, 2, or 3 times (in a change of water each time) for more or less spiciness. Spiciness reduces with each blanching.
• Process ajies in a blender or food processor with a steel blade, with just enough water and oil to make a thick paste.
• Push the mixture through a fine sieve.
• Discard any remaining skin and veins.
• Prep and cooking time is estimated.
• Recipe from The Art of Peruvian Cuisine by Tony Custer.