Pepián

 

Here's a delicious recipe for Pepián, a traditional Guatemalan dish:

Ingredients:

• Chicken or Beef: 1.5 pounds, cut into pieces
• Potatoes: 2 medium, peeled and chopped
• Carrots: 2 medium, peeled and sliced
• Green Beans: 1 cup, trimmed and cut into pieces
• Tomatoes: 2 large, roasted and chopped
• Onions: 1 large, chopped
• Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
• Pepián Sauce:
  • Sesame Seeds: 2 tablespoons, toasted
  • Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tablespoons, toasted
  • Dried Chiles: 2, toasted and seeds removed
  • Cinnamon Stick: 1 small
  • Cloves: 3 whole
  • Black Peppercorns: 1 teaspoon
  • Bay Leaf: 1
  • Salt: to taste
  • Water or Broth: 4 cups

Preparation Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a dry skillet, toast the sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried chiles, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns until fragrant. Blend these with roasted tomatoes, onions, and garlic until smooth.
2. Cook the Meat: In a large pot, brown the chicken or beef pieces. Remove from the pot and set aside.
3. Combine Ingredients: In the same pot, add the blended sauce and cook for about 5 minutes. Then add the browned meat, potatoes, carrots, green beans, bay leaf, salt, and water or broth.
4. Simmer: Cover and simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes, or until the meat and vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
5. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt or seasoning as needed.

Cooking Tips:

• For a thicker sauce, let the stew simmer uncovered for a longer time to reduce the liquid.
• You can also add other vegetables like zucchini or corn for added texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve Pepián with warm tortillas or rice to soak up the rich sauce.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness.