Ají Cuencano Recipes

CORVICHES

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, pulse the peanuts until they are crushed and just starting to clump together.
• Cut off the ends of the plantains, and slit open the skins with a sharp knife. Peel and cut plantains into 1 1⁄2-inch pieces. Place 2⁄3 of the cut plantains in a pot with enough water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to a boil over high heat. Salt the water until it tastes pleasant. Boil the plantains until they are cooked through, pierceable with a fork but not soft, about 30 minutes. Drain, and let cool to warm.
• Using the large-holed grating blade of a food processor (or box grater), grate the raw plantain, and then grate the cooked. Transfer the plantains to a mixing bowl, and stir in the peanuts, 1 1⁄2 teaspoons achiote, cilantro and 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste.
• In a food processor, mince the garlic, onion and green pepper, then add the tomatoes and process until puréed. Chill a mixing bowl in the freezer.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat with remaining 1 teaspoon achiote, and when the oil is hot, add the tomato mixture and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir occasionally, making sure the bottom of the pan doesn't scorch. Cook at a boil until there is no juice left in the pan, but the mixture is still very moist, about 12 minutes.
• Season fish with salt. Lower heat to low, add the fish to the sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until it just flakes when you press it, about 3 minutes. Chop the mixture up in the pan with a spoon or spatula, and salt to taste. Remove the filling to the cold bowl, and let cool.
• Lightly dampen your hands. Take about 1⁄4 cup of the plantain mixture, and flatten it in your hand to 1⁄2-inch thick. Press a long divot in the center of the plantain. Add 2 teaspoons of the filling to the center, and gently fold the plantain around the filling to encase it in a little football shape. Repeat until you've used all the plantain; extra filling is delicious for snacking.
• Pour a scant 1⁄2-inch depth of oil into a large, wide sauté pan, and heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering (350 degrees). Carefully place about half the corviches into the oil, making sure to leave a little room between each one. Fry for about 2 minutes per side, until deep golden brown. Turn them twice to fry on 3 sides. Remove them to a paper-towel-lined platter. Repeat with remaining corviches. Serve hot or at room temperature with the ají Cuencano (recipe here).

GHANAIAN SPINACH STEW WITH SWEET PLANTAINS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, warm the palm oil over medium heat, and add the onions, garlic, ginger, chile and a couple pinches of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown and sweet, about 15 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and a few generous pinches of salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and partly cover the pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has cooked to a rich tomato-soup consistency, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the egusi or pumpkin seeds in a food processor or blender to a fine powder, until it just starts to get clumpy. (Do not overprocess into a butter.) Remove to a bowl.
• When the tomatoes have reduced, add the shrimp powder (or smoked paprika and fish sauce to taste), and simmer 2 minutes. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, to the bowl of egusi powder until it is a loose paste. Add the egusi paste on top of the tomato sauce, and spread it out. Cover the pan, and cook 5 minutes.
• Stir the sauce all together; it will look like a thick porridge. Add a few splashes of water, and increase heat to a boil. Stir in the spinach, until wilted and tender. Taste, season with salt (or more fish sauce, if using) and serve with boiled sweet plantains.

AJí (COLOMBIAN-STYLE FRESH SALSA)

Steps:

• Finely mince the cilantro, onion, scallions and chile by hand, or by roughly chopping, then pulsing in a food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Working directly in the medium bowl and using a flat palm to press the cut side of the tomato against the large holes of a box grater, grate the tomato until you're left with just the skin. (The skin should protect your hand from the grater.) Discard the skin.
• Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few tablespoons of water. Squeeze with lime juice to taste. Stir to combine. The ají should be quite thin in texture. Add more water as necessary. Taste and season with more salt, if desired. Finished ají can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

AJí CUENCANO

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, blend the tamarillo, jalapeno, lime and sugar, then blend in the oil until smooth. Stir in the onion and cilantro, and salt to taste.

STUFFED CALAMARI

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the taralli until it forms coarse crumbs. Measure 1 1/4 cups of the crumbs. Pulse the squid tentacles in the food processor to chop them fine, and pat them very dry with paper towels.
• In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. When shimmering, add the squid tentacles, and spread them out. Sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes, then add the butter, garlic and red-pepper flakes to taste. Cook, stirring, until the garlic just starts to color, about 1 minute.
• Add the shrimp, season with salt and cook until just pink, about 2 minutes. Add the wine, and simmer for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, and stir in the taralli crumbs and lemon zest. The crumbs should look like wet, clumpy sand. If the mixture is too dry, sprinkle in a little more wine, and allow the filling to cool until just warm.
• Stuff each squid body with the filling, leaving the bottom and top inches unfilled (the stuffing will expand as it cooks). Secure the tops with toothpicks, and season all over with salt.
• Make the sauce: In a wide, deep pan, warm 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add red-pepper flakes to taste and the garlic, and cook until fragrant and just beginning to color. Stir in the tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring the tomatoes to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes. Add the calamari and any extra stuffing, and bring back to a very gentle simmer.
• Cover the pan, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat to make sure the sauce maintains a lazy bubble. Adjust with salt to taste. Garnish with the parsley. Serve with bread or pasta.

HAITIAN CORNMEAL PORRIDGE (MAYI MOULEN)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, and sauté the onion and garlic until barely golden, about 6 minutes. Add 4 1/2 cups water, and bring to a boil.
• Pour in the cornmeal in a thin stream, stirring constantly, and add the parsley, thyme, salt and black pepper. Stir for a few minutes to avoid lumps.
• Lower heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the cornmeal is tender, with a soft but not runny consistency, 20 to 25 minutes. Adjust with more water or salt if necessary. Serve with sos pwa nwa and sliced avocados.

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.