CÓMO PREPARAR HAYACAS 🇪🇨paso a paso

pork

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken

Turkey is leaner than pork, while chicken is often less expensive.

corn dough

🥗Healthier: quinoa flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Quinoa flour offers a gluten-free alternative, while cornmeal is widely available.

green plantains

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: regular potatoes

Zucchini can mimic the texture of plantains, while potatoes are more economical.

banana leaves

🥗Healthier: parchment paper

💰Cheaper: aluminum foil

Parchment paper is a healthier option for wrapping, while foil is more accessible.

Prepare the banana leaves by washing them and passing them over low heat to soften.

In a pot, combine chicken, chicken giblets, and a mix of vegetables including pearl onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and herbs like celery, parsley, and mint to make a broth.

Add salt, cumin, pepper, and oregano to the broth and let it simmer for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked.

Strain the broth and let it cool, discarding the chicken.

Measure out 2 cups of the broth and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of precooked corn flour, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of pork lard or butter.

Gradually add the cooled broth and 1/4 cup of milk to the flour mixture, mixing until smooth and free of lumps.

Let the dough rest for at least 15 minutes.

In a skillet, heat a bit of pork lard or butter and sauté 2 crushed garlic cloves and 2-3 tablespoons of pearl onion for 3-4 minutes.

Add the shredded chicken to the skillet, along with a couple of tablespoons of the broth to flavor it, and let it cool.

Take a portion of the rested dough and spread it out on a banana leaf.

Add a layer of the chicken filling, then top with strips of carrot, red bell pepper, peas, olives, raisins, and a slice of hard-boiled egg.

Fold the banana leaf over the filling to create a parcel, securing it with strips from the banana leaves or fibers from the leaves.

Place the parcels in a pot with a small amount of water, ensuring the water does not enter the parcels, and steam for about 25 minutes.

After 25 minutes, check the parcels to ensure they are cooked and the dough is soft.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary