Food&Recipes‐ElSalvadorFebruary2011

FeaturedProgram:PINCC

InThisMonth’sRecipes:

♀ SalvadorianE;que"e,Customs&Cuisine♀Menu&RecipesfromElSalvador

LocatedonthePaci-iccoast,ElSalvador“hasmadearichcontributiontoCentralAmericancooking.ThecuisineofElSalvadorissimilartothatofitsneighbors,withastrongrelianceonindigenousfoodslikecorn,beans,squashandtomatoes.” (http://www.whats4eats.com/central-america/el-salvador-cuisine) Freshfruitisreadilyavailable.

Mayanculturehashadastrongin-luenceonSalvadoriancuisine,alongwithcontributionsfromtheSpanishkitchen.Seafoodissometimesincluded.

OneofthemostnoticeablebreakfastplatesinElSalvadorisfriedplantain,usuallyaccompaniedwithcreamandcheese.

Themostimportantmealofthedayislunch(almuerzo),whichincludessoupandamaincourseofmeat,chicken,orseafoodwithriceandbeans.(h"p://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Salvadorian_Cuisine)

ApopulardishinElSalvadorispupusa,ahandmadecorndish.ThecornisstuffedwithSalvadorancheeseorotheringredients.Friedbeansarecommon.OneofthemainformsofvegetariancuisineinElSalvadorisayote,akindofsquash.photocredit:eoediary.org.uk

OurthankstoCarolynMayersforprovidingrecipes.Forinformationandrecipesinadditiontotheonesgivenbelowgoto:h"p://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Salvadorian_Cuisineh"p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvadoran_cuisineh"p://www.salvaide.ca/salvadoranfood.html

ForloadsofinformationandanexcellentselectionoftypicalSalvadoranrecipes,including,pupusaswith2versionsofcurtido,casamientoanddesserts,youcan’tdobetterthangoingtoaFoodForThoughtfrom2yearsagoat:http://www.diningforwomen.org/sites/default/-iles/salvadoranenterprisesforwomen3‐08mc.PDF

Anyquestions,comments,suggestions,dropmealineatcrmayers@mac.comNowfortheNEWrecipes!

FrescodeMelon(MelonDrink)Adaptedfrome‐book“TheBeautyofSalvadoranCuisine

Freshfruitdrinksor“frescos”areextremelypopularthroughoutCentralAmericaandthiscanbeanicestartertoofferguestsastheyarrive,spikedornot,yourchoice!Couldn’tbeeasier!Reallyanyfruitwouldbegood,suchaspineappleormango,butyoumayhavetoadjusttheamountofwaterabit.Enjoy!!Servesabout10

3cfreshmelonorcantaloupe,coarselychopped6cwater,moreorless½csugar(ormore)or1/3to½cagavenectar(acactussyrupsweetener–nodissolvingrequiredandhighlyrecommended!)¼cfreshlimejuice,ormoretotasteRum(ifdesired)

Workinginbatchesifnecessary,addthemelonandali"leoverhalfofthewatertoblenderandpureethemelonthoroughly.Strainthroughasieve,ifdesired,intoaverylargeortwosmallerpitchers.(Iskipthisstep–ifyoudostrainituseastrainerthatisnottoofineoritwilltakeforevertoflowthrough)Addwatertomakethepureethinenoughtopourifnecessary.Add½csugarandlimejuiceands;run;lsugarisdissolvedoragavenectariswelldistributed.Tasteandadjustsugarorlimejuiceasneeded.Serveicecold.NOTE:Alternatelyyoucoulddissolvethesugarinhotwaterandletitcool,andthenaddthattothepuree,thusfacilita;ngitsincorpora;on.

MenuFrescodeMelon(MelonDrink)

Albóndigas(SalvadorianMeatBalls)

BistecEncebollado(SteakSmotheredwithOnions)

SalvadoranDrunkenChicken

SopadeFrijoles(BeanSoup)FlandeLeche(La;nCaramel

Custard)

2

ELqueNe&Customs

• Salvadoranwomenocenpateachotherontherightforearmorshoulder,ratherthanshakehands.

• Donotgiveliliesormarigolds,astheyareusedatfunerals.

• Donotgivescissorsorknives.Theyindicateyouwanttosevertherela;onship.

• Neverarriveon;mewheninvitedtoahome.Althoughitmaysoundstrangeyoushouldarriveali"lelaterthaninvited,i.e.30‐45minuteslate.

• Thehostsays"buenprovecho"("enjoy"or"haveagoodmeal")asaninvita;ontostartea;ng.

h"p://www.kwintessen;al.co.uk/resources/global‐e;que"e/elsalvador.html

Albóndigas(SalvadorianMeatBalls)Adaptedfrome‐book“TheBeautyofSalvadoranCuisine”

Somewherebetweenasoupand“Swedish”meatballs,Salvadoranstyle!Salvadoranfoodisnotgenerallyspicy–anyheatisusuallyinthecondiments,soifyouwantitspicier,addali"lecayennetothesauce,notthemeatballs.Couldbeapassedhotappe;zerservedwithtoothpicks.Serves6‐8,4ifusedasamaincourse

Meatballs1lbgroundbeef¼cmincedscallion½ccookedrice1egg,beaten1Tflour1clovegarlic,minced12bunchofchoppedcilantroormint1TdriedoreganoSalt&groundblackpeppertotaste(about½teaspoon)

Sauce2Toliveoil1mediumonion,minced1carrot,grated2clovesgarlic,minced1heapingteaspoonflour½14oz.candicedtomatoesorpuree1Ttomatopaste3‐4clow‐sodiumbeefbroth(moreorless,dependingonhowthickyoulikeyoursauce)SaltandgroundblackpeppertotasteCayennepepper(op;onal)totaste

Mixthefirstsetofingredientstogetherwell.Forminto1"ballsandsetaside.Heatoilinalargedeepskilletovermediumheat.Sautéonionsandcarrotsun;lonionsaretranslucent,about6minutes.Addgarlicandsauté1‐2minutesmore.Addflourandcook1minutemore.Addtomatoes,tomatopaste,broth,saltandpepper.S;rverywell.Bringtoaboil,s;rringacoupleof;mes.Reduceheatandcook5minutes.Addmeatballs.Cookonamediumsimmer(theliquidneedstobebubblingabit)uncoveredfor20‐25minutes,turningthemeatballsverycarefullywithtongsacerabout10minutes.Servemeatballsinbowlswithsomeofthebroth,orasanappe;zerinadishwithtoothpicks.

NOTE:Dependingonthesizeofyourpan,youmayneedtocookthemeatballsintwobatches.Justkeepthefirstsetwarmintheoventhenaddbackinattheendofcookingthesecondbatch.Also,ifthesauceendsuptoothin,youcanremoveallofthemeatballsandkeepthemwarmsintheoven.Thencookthesauceovermediumhighheatforafewminutestoreduce,andaddthemeatballsbackin.

3

BistecEncebollado(SteakSmotheredwithOnions)Adaptedfromh"p://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dweezil‐lisa/steak‐with‐smothered‐caramelized‐onion‐bistec‐encebollado‐recipe/index.html

ThisisabeefversionofoneofthemostpopulardishesinElSalvador,Pollo(ChickenEncebollado).Youcanfindarecipeforthechickenversionhere‐h"p://www.whats4eats.com/poultry/pollo‐encebollado‐recipeIdidnottestthechickenversionbutitlookreallygoodandveryeasy.Thisbeefversionisabsolutelydelicious!Awordofcau;on,ifyouuseadoboseasoningfromthestore,itisverysalty–donotaddanyextrasalt.Also,someofthemhaveMSGsorealthelabel.We

servedthisoverrice,anditwouldbeexcellentasfillingfortor;llasaswell.Serves4NOTE:Youneedtoallow12hoursorsoforthemeattomarinate.

2lbs.beeftenderloinorNYstripsteak,trimmedoffatandverythinlysliced¼coliveoilplus2tablespoons2Tmincedgarlic¼tdriedoreganoleaves1½‐2tadoboseasoning(orequalpartsgarlicpowder,onionpowder,groundcuminandsalt)2largeonions,halvedthensliced2Tunsaltedbu"er1tcuminGroundblackpepper1T(rounded)flour3Tciderorricevinegar1Clow‐sodiumchickenstockYourfavoritesalsa(op;onalbutrecommended)

Inalargeleakproofplas;cbag,combine¼cupofoliveoil,garlic,oregano,and1teaspoonofadobo.Mixingredientstogether.Addslicedmeat,sealbagandsmooshthemeatandmarinadearoundtodistributeevenly.Refrigerateforabout12hours.Removefromrefrigeratoraboutanhourbeforeproceeding.Heat2tablespoonsofoliveoilplusbu"erovermediumheatinalargeskillet.Addtheonionsandsauté,s;rringregularly,un;lonionsaresocandgolden,about10minutes.Addflour,cuminandagoodgrindofblackpepper,s;rinwellandcook1minute.Addvinegar,chickenstockand¼teaspoonofadobo,s;rwellandsimmerfor3minutes.Reduceheattoverylowandkeepwarm.Onlyaddmoreadodo,ifneeded,acerithasafewminutestoblend.Heatasecondlargeskilletovermedium‐highheat.Addmeatandanymarinadethatclingstoittothepanonceitishot.Quicklys;rfrythemeat,forabout3minutesorso,s;rringtheen;re;me.Toserve,placethemeatandonionmixtureonapla"erinalterna;nglayers.Spoonanyextrabrothoverthetopandserveassoonaspossible,preferablywithsalsaontheside.

SalvadoranDrunkenChicken

4

Adaptedfromh"p://www.familyoven.com/recipe/salvadoran‐drunken‐chicken‐with‐pupusitas‐de‐pollo/264548

Theoriginalrecipessuggestedservingthiswithmini‐pupusas.Weserveditoverrice.

Anotherchili‐likeconcoc;on,basedonthetradi;onalMexicanrecipeforDrunkenChicken.NoalcoholintherecipesoIdonotreallygetwhyitis“Drunken”.Maybeifyoufindoutyoucoulde‐mailmeatcrmayers@mac.com.Inanycase,avery,verygoodrecipe.

Serves4‐6

2Toliveoil4oz.fullycookedchorizosausagelinksdiced,divided1mediumonion,chopped,divided1½lbs.boneless,skinlesschickenthighs½‐1tadoboseasoning2–3clow‐sodiumchickenbroth3clovesgarlic,minced½t(rounded)cumin½toregano1T(heaping)flour½14oz.canchoppedtomatoes115oz.cansmallpinkbeansorkidneybeans,drainedGroundblackpeppertotaste(youwillprobablynotneedmoresalt)Cayennetotaste(op;onal)

Heatoilinalargeheavypotovermedium‐highheat.Addhalfofchorizoandhalfofonion.Saute5minutes.Addchickenandsauté5minutes.Add½cupchickenbrothandcook,s;rring,un;lalmostevaporated,about8minutesorso.

Removechickenfrompanand,whencooled,cutinto1to2inchpieces.Setaside.Ifthereiss;llliquidinthepan,cookitun;litisalmostgone.

Reduceheattomedium.Addotherhalfofonionandchorizoandcook,s;rringoccasionally,for5minutes.S;ringarlic,oregano,cuminandflour.Cookfor1minute.Returnchickentopot,andaddbeans,tomatoes,balanceofbroth,agenerousfewgrindsofblackpepperandapinchofcayenneifusing.S;rwellandbringtoaboil.Reduceheatandcook,overmedium‐lowheatpar;allycovered,s;rringperiodically,forabout20minutes.Servehotwithpupusas,tor;llasoroverrice.

5

SopadeFrijoles(BeanSoup)Adaptedfromh"p://www.vvsupremo.com/recipes/details.aspx?id=71

Aperfect,simplewintersoup!Richanddeliciousandpink(forValen;ne’sDay),eventhoseofyououttherewhodon’tthinkyoulikebeanswilllovethis!Serves4–6

8oz.bacon,cookedun;lcrispandbrokenintosmallpieces,divided2Toilorbaconfatoracombina;on1largeonion,diced3largeclovesgarlic,minced1smallsweetredpepperORjalapeno,orboth,seededanddiced–yourchoice2‐15oz.cansredkidneybeans,drained2clow‐sodiumbeefbroth½tgroundblackpepper¾csourcream,preferablyfull‐fatSalttotasteQuesoFrescoorfetscheese,crumbledCilantroorparsley,minced

Heatoilinalargeheavypotovermediumheat.Addonionandcook10minutes,s;rringoccasionally.Addgarlicandpeppersandcookanother6minutes,s;rring.Placebeans,broth,halfofbaconandblackpepperinblenderandpuree.Addpureetopot,s;rwellandreduceheat.Simmeroverlowheatfor20minutes.Addtherestofthebaconbitsandthesourcreamands;rwell.Heatthrough.Addsalttotasteifneeded.Servehotinsoupbowlswithasprinklingofquesofrescoorfetacheeseandsomeparsleyorcilantro.

FlandeLeche(LaLnCaramelCustard)Adaptedfromh"p://www.whats4eats.com/desserts/flan‐de‐leche‐recipeNote:Thisrecipeisinaddi1ontoCarolyn’srecipes.Flan,acaramelcustard,isapopulardessertinCentralAmericaandotherLa;nAmericancountries.Flanismadefromjustafew

ingredients,includingeggs,milk,andsugar.Dependingontheflanrecipe,addi;onalflavoringslikechocolate,coffeeandcoconutmightbeadded.Thefinalproductisacustardwithacarameltop,bakedun;lsoc,butsolid.OriginallyfromtheborderareaofFranceandSpain,thissimpleyetelegantdessertspreadinpopularity.

Makes6servings.

6

Sugar‐‐1cupWater‐‐1/4cupEggs,beaten‐‐4Sweetened,condensedmilk‐‐1(14‐ounce)canWholemilkorwater‐‐2cupsVanilla‐‐1/2teaspoonSugar‐‐1/2cup

Preheatovento350°F.Placethe1cupsugarandwaterinaheavy‐bo"omedsaucepanands;rtodissolvethesugar.Placeovermediumheatandboilthesugar,withouts;rring,un;litjuststartstoturnahoneybrown,around10‐15minutes.

Removethecaramelizedsugarfromheatandpourintoa9‐inchcakepanorinequalamountsintoeachof6individualramekins,swirlingtocoatthebo"om.Youmaynotneedallthesugar.Placethecakepanorramekinsinabakingpanlargeenoughtoholdthemwithouttouching.

Inalargebowl,beattogethertheeggs,condensedmilk,wholemilkorwater,vanillaand1/2cupsugarun;lsmooth.Pourintothecakepanorintoeachoftheramekins.

Fillthebakingpanwithenoughwarmwatertocomeabout2/3ofthewayupsidesofthecontainers.Placeintheovenandcookun;laknifeinsertedintothecenterofthecustardcomesoutclean,anywherefrom45minutestooveranhour.Donotovercookyourflanoritmaycurdle.

Removethecustard(s)fromthewaterbathandchillwell.Runaknifearoundtheedgesofthecustard,invertoveraservingdishandserve.

7