Delicious Colombian Ajiaco Recipe
Let's try South American dish. How about "Ajiaco," a delicious and hearty Colombian soup made with chicken, potatoes, and corn? It's a popular comfort food, especially in the colder regions of Colombia. Here's the recipe for Ajiaco:
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into pieces
8 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
4 cups water
2 pounds of assorted potatoes (russet, Yukon gold, and/or red potatoes), peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup guascas (dried Colombian herb) - If you can't find guascas, you can substitute with dried oregano and a pinch of ground cumin.
2 ears of corn, husked and cut into 2-3 inch pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup heavy cream or sour cream
1 avocado, sliced (for garnish)
Capers (for garnish)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown them slightly on all sides.
Pour in the chicken broth and water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chicken simmer for about 30 minutes until it's tender and fully cooked.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred the meat using two forks. Discard the bones and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Add the assorted potatoes and the guascas (or dried oregano and cumin) to the pot. Stir everything together, cover the pot again, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
Add the corn pieces to the pot and continue simmering for an additional 10-15 minutes until the corn is cooked.
Stir in the chopped cilantro and season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Just before serving, stir in the heavy cream or sour cream to give the soup a creamy texture.
Serve the Ajiaco hot in individual bowls, garnished with sliced avocado and capers.
Ajiaco is often accompanied by a side of white rice and a slice of avocado. It's a fantastic combination of flavors and textures that will warm your soul and introduce you to the delicious tastes of Colombian cuisine. Enjoy!
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