Pollo Con Achiote Food

CHICKEN WITH RICE (ARROZ CON POLLO)

Steps:

• In a paella pan or wide, shallow pan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the Achiote Oil over medium-high heat until the oil is rippling. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add as many pieces skin side down to the pan as fit without touching. Cook, turning as necessary, until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the pieces as they are done and set aside. Adjust the heat under the pan, especially after you start removing chicken, so the chicken browns without the oil darkening.
• When all the chicken is removed from the pan, add the Sofrito and alcaparrado. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and boil until most of the water is evaporated from the Sofrito. Add the cumin and cloves.
• Stir in the rice until coated with oil. Return the chicken to the pan, pour in enough broth to cover the rice by the width of 2 fingers (about 1-inch), and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat until the level of liquid reaches the rice. Stir gently and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and cook until the liquid is absorbed, the chicken is cooked through, and the rice is tender but firm, about 20 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. The arroz con pollo can be brought to the table right in the pan or transferred to a large serving platter. Either way, garnish with the red pepper before serving.
• Heat the oil and annatto seeds in a small skillet over medium heat just until the seeds give off a lively, steady sizzle. Don't overheat the mixture or the seeds will turn black and the oil will turn a nasty green. Once they're sizzling, remove the pan from the heat and let stand until the sizzling stops. Strain and reserve in a jar with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Chop the onion and Cubanelle or Italian peppers in the work bowl of a food processor until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, add the remaining ingredients 1 at a time and process until smooth. The sofrito will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It also freezes beautifully.

YUCATáN-STYLE CHICKEN WITH ACHIOTE (POLLO PIBIL)

Steps:

• Combine juices, achiote paste, and salt in a blender, and purée until smooth, at least 2 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer into a medium bowl; set sauce aside.
• Line the bottom of a 6-qt. Dutch oven with 2 crisscrossed banana leaves, if using, letting the excess hang over the side of the pot. Add chicken pieces to pot, and pour over sauce. Tear remaining banana leaf into small pieces, and scatter over top of chicken. Fold excess of banana leaves over top of chicken, and place lid on pot. Place pot over medium-high heat, and bring sauce inside to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes.
• To serve, uncover pot and peel back banana leaves. Divide chicken among serving bowls, discarding pieces of banana leaves, and serve with plenty of sauce from the pot, along with pickled onions and tortillas, if you like.

POLLO AL ACHIOTE EN CALDO DE LIMA(ACHIOTE MARINATED CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Prepare the Chicken Stock and Marinade:
• Add the chicken to a large pot. Fill with 8 cups of water and remaining ingredients listed to prepare stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, skimming off the top as needed.
• While the chicken cooks, prepare achiote marinade. Add all of the ingredients to the blender. Blend on high until smooth, set aside.
• Remove the cooked chicken from the broth into a storage container. Pour in the achiote marinade and toss to coat evenly. Marinate in refrigerator overnight. Strain the broth, let cool on stove top. Then refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil paper. Add the tomato, onion, bell pepper, poblano, and chile guero. Roast for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool. Remove stems and seeds from peppers. Transfer all vegetables to the blender. Add bouillon and chicken broth. Blend on high until smooth. Strain into a bowl.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer marinated chicken to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. Let come to room temperature for 20 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes. Then cook under broiler for 3-5 minutes to crisp up and brown the skin. Remove chicken from oven and cover with foil paper to keep warm.
• Preheat 2 tablespoons of oil to medium heat. Add the strained sauce and cook at a low simmer for 5 minutes. Skim off any fat from top of stock. Add 4 cups of chicken stock, juice of 4 limes and 1/2 of the cilantro. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
• To plate, add one piece of chicken to a shallow bowl, ladle in the lime broth. Garnish soup with sliced limes and remaining cilantro Garnish chicken with pickled red onions(see link below). Serve with rice and warm corn tortillas.

ARROZ CON POLLO

Steps:

• Place 1/2 cup of olive oil in small pan and add the achiote. Heat on medium heat until bubbles form, then remove from heat and let steep. Drain achiote seeds from oil (should be a vibrant reddish-orange color). Place oil in large stockpot. Heat oil on high and place chicken pieces in pot and brown - this is done just to brown chicken NOT to cook it. Remove chicken from pot Place diced onions, garlic, and peppers in pot with the achiote. Saute until soft (do not burn garlic). Put capers in pot and cook for a while with the onion mixture. Add rice to the pot with garlic, peppers, garlic and capers, then swirl rice into the mixture. Let the rice cook for just about a minute. Place cut up cilantro and basil in pot. Add in chicken broth and make sure you scrape the pot. Add chicken pieces back in. Put olives in and mix. Place bay leaves in pot. Check for seasonings (Please note: add salt and pepper at the end). Let the mixture cook on medium heat until the rice is done. Add peas just before serving.
• In another medium pot place peeled asparagus in water and boil until they turn bright green. Place in ice bath to stop the cooking process.
• To serve, place rice and chicken in a large platter. Arrange chicken pieces around platter and rice in the center. Place cooked asparagus around the platter and then place pimentos in the center.
• Serve with tostones (recipe follows).
• Peel plantains and cut at an angle. Place in cold water with salt. In a large frying pan put in 1/2 cup oil (preferably peanut oil ). Place plantains in pan and cook until somewhat soft (they will turn a lovely pale yellow color). Take them out of the pan and smash each one between 2 pieces of foil (folded 2 or 3 times to make a thick pad - place 2 paper towels on top of foil so that you don't burn yourself). Return to frying pan (you may have to add more oil). Fry until crisp and then season with salt. Serve with rice and chicken - or just about anything!

ARROZ CON POLLO A LA TICA

Steps:

• Cook carrot and green beans in salted water until tender, drain and set aside.
• In a wok-type pan, saute onion and red pepper in 2 tbsp olive oil until pepper is tender and onion is translucent. Set aside in small bowl.
• Heat remaining 3 tbsp oil in the wok until hot, then add the cooked rice, stir-frying for several minutes.
• Add the onion/pepper mixture and mix well to incorporate.
• Add the Lizano sauce, soy sauce and achiote powder. Mix well to incorporate.
• Add chicken and mix well to incorporate.
• Add salt and pepper to taste then remove from heat.
• Add cilantro and parsley.
• To serve in a typical manner, fill a serving-sized bowl with the Arroz con Pollo, tamp down, then unmold it onto the dinner plate. Served with a side salad and fried plantains. Here in Costa Rica, it would be served with french fries - a carbohydrate overload!