Dominican Crackling Chicken Food

MOFONGO RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Fry the plantains for 5-8 minutes, or golden brown on all sides. Transfer the plantains to a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess grease.
• Using a large pilón (mortar and pestle) mash the plantains, garlic, and pork cracklins together, until the plantains are broken down. You might have to do this in small batches.
• Pack a serving into a small bowl and turn it over onto a plate for serving. Remove the bowl.
• Serve with extra pork cracklings (chicharrón) and garlic mojo on the side.
• Crush together garlic cloves and salt with a pilón (mortar and pestle), until you obtain a smooth paste. Transfer into a medium bowl.
• Stir in fresh bitter orange juice, olive oil, cumin, oregano, and chopped cilantro.
• Add more salt to taste, if desired.

[RECIPE + VIDEO] EMPANADITAS / PASTELITOS (SAVORY TURNOVERS)

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks, oil, salt, and baking powder. Once well combined, add the flour and mix.By this point, the dough will be crumbly and too dry. Start adding water by the tablespoon and working until it forms a cohesive ball with the least water possible. I used 7 tablespoons in the end, but it varies sometimes.
• Mix everything with your hands on a lightly floured surface until everything is well mixed, but just squeezing without folding (like playdoh). Add some flour to the dough if it is too sticky, or a bit of water if it is too dryOnce the dough has the consistency of playdoh (One to two minutes at most) wrap, and let the dough rest for ten minutes.
• Separate a small, golf-ball-sized piece of dough. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough forming a small circle.
• Cut out circles of about 2.5" [6.5 cm] in diameter. Paint the inside with egg white (which acts as glue so the layers don't separate).Place a tablespoon of the filling in the center of each circle, cover with another circle and seal the border by pressing it with a fork.
• Cut out circles 4" [10 cm] in diameter. Paint the inside with egg white (which acts as glue so the layers don't separate).Place a tablespoon of the filling in the center of each circle, double over in a semi-circle, and seal the border by pressing it with a fork.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a 1 qt [1lt] pot. Deep fry the pastelitos / empanaditas until they are golden brown on each side. Rest on a paper towel to drain excess oil before serving.

DOMINICAN CRACKLING CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large stainless-steel or glass bowl, combine lime juice, soy sauce and salt. Add chicken; stir, refrigerate and allow to marinate at least 3 hours.
• Pour oil into a wok or large pot and heat over medium heat until very hot, but not smoking. Meanwhile, combine flour, pepper and cayenne in a paper bag and set aside.
• Drain chicken and pat dry. Drop 3 or 4 chicken pieces into the bag with the seasoned flour and shake until well coated; repeat with remaining chicken.
• Using a slotted spoon, slowly add the chicken, a few pieces at a time, to the oil and deep-fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and keep warm until served. Serve with lime wedges.

DOMINICA CALYPSO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut up chicken in pieces and wash in cold water with a piece of lemon.
• Rinse well in cold water and place in a large bowl.
• Season with salt, pepper one clove garlic (crushed), vinegar and thyme. Allow to marinate for 3 hours.
• In a large skillet, heat margarine and add sugar; when very hot, brown chicken.
• In another fry pan, heat some oil and fry cashews and set aside.
• In the same pan, fry together the garlic, mushrooms, onions and ginger.
• Add wine and about ¼ cup water to the original cooking skillet.
• Add chicken and cook for about 25 minute until chicken is tender.
• Thicken with a little flour softened with some warm water.
• Cook for another 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cashew nuts and serve.

CHICHARRONES DE POLLO (CHICKEN DOMINICAN-REPUBLIC STYLE)

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients in a plastic zipper bag.
• Add chicken strips and marinate in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
• Combine flour, paprika, pepper and salt in another zipper bag.
• Transfer chicken strips to flour mixture, coating evenly.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat and fry chicken in batches of 4 strips (don't overcrowd; oil will cool down too much during cooking), taking about 4 minutes per side to brown outside and thoroughly cook insides.
• When done, transfer chicken strips to a plate lined with paper towels, and lightly sprinkle with salt.
• Cook remaining batches of strips, keeping others warm in a low-temp oven.