Ajiaco cubano, el caldo que "revive a un muerto"

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner and can be more affordable than chicken breast.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

cilantro

🥗Healthier: parsley

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Dried herbs can be more cost-effective and have a longer shelf life.

bay leaves

💰Cheaper: dried thyme

Dried thyme can provide a similar aromatic flavor.

Boil 4 liters of water in a large pot.

Add chunks of smoked pork and ham to the boiling water.

Add bay leaves and whole culantro to the pot.

Cut raw pork into chunks and add to the pot along with its bone.

Sear the pork chunks in a frying pan with oil until browned, then add to the pot.

Cut beef into chunks, season with salt and pepper, and sear in the same frying pan.

Add the seared beef to the pot.

Prepare chicken thighs by trimming fat, season with salt and pepper, and sear in the frying pan.

Add the seared chicken to the pot.

Sauté chopped onion in the pot until translucent, then add chopped bell peppers.

Skim off any scum floating on top of the broth.

Add minced garlic and sauté until brown, then add chopped tomatoes and seasoning peppers.

Mix in cumin, salt, and allspice, then add the reserved ham juice to the pot.

Cover the pot and let it boil on medium heat for one hour.

Remove bones and culantro from the pot after an hour.

Peel and cut white yam and malanga into chunks, then rinse and add to the pot quickly.

Cut corn cobs into chunks and add to the pot.

Peel and cut squash into chunks, rinse, and add to the pot.

Cut leek and carrots, peel carrots by scraping, then slice and add to the pot.

Peel green plantains, slice, and add lemon juice to prevent oxidation before adding to the boiling broth.

Add green plantain pieces to the pot and stir well, cover, and boil for 10 minutes.

Peel semi-ripe plantain, slice finely, and add to the pot to boil for 5 minutes.

Remove meat from bones (smoked pork, raw pork, and ham) and return to the pot, mixing well.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: