Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Today is another day and another delicious recipe. This time we're tackling Bolivia.
Although I've already shared some traditional Bolivian recipes when it was Bolivian Independence Day last month, this time I'm sharing one more: the delicious aji de carne, a peppery pork that combines some delicious flavors–including bananas! It's not just sweetness, though, and the chile powder actually gives this dish a great sort-of-sweet-sort-of-spicy flavor that I just love, and I bet you and your family will enjoy it, too!
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Aji de Carne, a.k.a. Bolivian Peppery Pork with Banana (recipes courtesy of CDKitchen.com)
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil, light
1 cup sweet onions, chopped
3 green onions, chopped, to taste
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
8 ounces boneless pork top loin, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/4 teaspoon saffron
1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 tablespoon aji chile powder, or substitute chimayo
1 small chili pepper, optional
ground cloves, scant measure
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup lowfat chicken broth
annatto seeds, ground, optional
4 small russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut
2 green bananas, peeled and in 2" pieces
1/4 cup seltzer water, MIXED WITH
4 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon lowfat peanut butter
4 tortillas, warmed
2 cups mixed salad greens, with shredded red cabbage
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Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven casserole and saute the onions until almost soft. Add the garlic and cook until onions are soft. Add. Add the pork, a few pieces at a time, and brown (char a little).
2. Add the tomatoes, saffron, salt (if needed), black pepper, chile, cinnamon, cloves, and broth and optional annatto. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes.
3. Add the potatoes and continue to cook until the potatoes are done, about 30 minutes. Add the bananas *before* the potatoes are done but the bananas need about 10 mins at most. Make a well and tilt the pan so that the liquids pool. Pour the sauce ingredients gently combine; simmer until heated through, taking care that the "cream" does not boil.
4. Serve immediately with warmed tortillas and mixed salad greens, undressed or a little lemon-lime juice.
Image via Adrian Salgado/flickr
