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Xawaash
Xawaash
Xawaash (pronounced hawaaj) is a complex spice blend used in Somali cuisine; much like berbere is used in Ethiopian cuisine. It is used in dishes such as suugar, a meat and vegetable stew, and suugo, a Somali pasta sauce. I highly recommend that you lightly dry toast the whole spices. It completely changes the flavor, making the xawaash more aromatic.
Equipment
- Spice grinder
Ingredients
Whole Spices
- 3 tbsp cumin seeds
- 3 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 2 tsp green cardamom pods
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
Ground Spices
- 1 tbsp ground sage
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Dry toast the whole spices in a skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Grind the whole spice in a spice grinder. Mix together with the other ground spices. Store in a container for up to 3 months.
Pastel de Choclo (Shepherds Corn Pie)
Pastel de Choclo (Shepherds Corn Pie)
This traditional Chilean corn pie casserole has been around for over 200 years. This just might be one of the most ultimate comfort foods I’ve ever eaten. The ground beef layer has a slightness of heat, while the top layer is like a fluffy corn tamale. In between all of that is a layer of hard boiled eggs. What’s better than that? I’ll tell you. Nothing. Other then having to cook the corn layer separately, it all finishes in a cast iron skillet. Almost a one pot meal. Still by one pothead.
Servings: 4
Equipment
- food processor
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water
Corn Topping
- 3 cups corn
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup basil chopped
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup corn flour
- 3 hard boiled eggs sliced into 4
Instructions
- Heat up cooking oil in a cast iron pan over medium high heat. Brown the ground beef for 5 minutes.
- Add in the onions and garlic. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add in all of the dried spices.
- Pour in the beef stock. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the slurry you made with the cornstarch and water. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens. Take off the heat and set aside.
- Pulse the corn in a food processor until it is chopped, but not a paste.
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add in the corn. Cook for 5 minutes, continuously stirring.
- Season with salt, pepper, and the chopped basil. Cook for a minute. Pour in the whole milk.
- Bring to a simmer. Stir in the corn flour. Take off the heat.
Assembly
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Layer the hard boiled eggs across the ground beef mix like so.
- Spread the corn layer evenly over the top ove the ground beef. Bake for 25 minutes.
Chilorio
Chilorio
Chilorio is a popular dried chili pepper pork stew, hailing from the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Dried ancho chilies are used, making this dish fairly mild. If you want some spice, add in a couple of dried morita chilies. This chili sauce traditionally has vinegar in it, but you can also use orange juice. Chilorio can be found already prepared in delis at Mexican markets. It is even sold in a can.Chilorio is a great protein for tacos, burritos, tortas, gorditas, sopes, tamales, quesadillas, etc.
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder cubed
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 3 dried ancho chilies
- 3 dried morita chilies
- 6 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Add the pork, salt, bay leaves, and water to a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil 0ver medium high heat. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
- While the pork is simmering, soak the dried chilies in hot water for 20 minutes.
- Add the dried chilies plus a 1/2 cup of the soaking liquid, garlic, oregano, cumin, and 1/2 cup of orange juice to the blender.
- Purée until smooth.
- After the pork has simmered for 45 minutes, remove the cover and let the liquid evaporate. Let the pork fry in it’s own fat for a few minutes.
- Pour in the rest of the orange juice, deglazing and scraping up the brown bits from the pot. Pour in the chili sauce. Bring to a simmer. Cover and place in a 300 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Take off the cover and cook for another 20 minutes.
