Christmas Ayaca
Recipe by: SaveMore Food Stores
Serves
4
Time
45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Dough
- Corn flour
- Butter or margarine
- Annatto (rucu)
- Salt and sugar
For the Filling
- Chicken (breast or thigh), cut into pieces
- Chicken bouillon
- Light soy sauce
- Sweet soy sauce (ketjap manis)
- Tomato paste
- Olive oil
- Spices (to taste): garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder, black pepper, paprika, all-purpose seasoning
- Onion, garlic, hot pepper, celery – finely chopped
For Assembling the Ayaca
- Capers
- Olives
- Green onions
- Cashews
- Raisins
- Prunes
- Green and red bell peppers
- Banana leaves
- Kitchen string
- Hot pepper sauce (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough
- In a bowl, mix the corn flour with salt and sugar.
- Heat the butter with annatto (rucu) and add it to the flour.
- Gradually add warm water and knead until a smooth, soft dough forms.
- Set aside.
- Prepare the Filling
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion, garlic, hot pepper, and celery until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and season with the spices. Cook until lightly browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, light soy sauce, sweet soy sauce and chicken bouillon.
- Let the filling simmer until cooked through and flavorful.
- Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Banana Leaves
- Clean the banana leaves and lightly warm them up to make them flexible.
- Cut into squares.
- Assemble the Ayaca
- Place a spoonful of dough in the center of a banana leaf and flatten it.
- Add a portion of the chicken filling on top.
- Garnish with capers, olives, green onions, cashews, raisins, prunes, and bell peppers.
- Wrap and Tie
- Fold the banana leaf carefully around the filling to form a neat package.
- Secure tightly with kitchen string.
- Cook the Ayacas
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the wrapped ayacas and cook for about 1 to 1½ hours.
- Remove from water and let cool slightly before serving.
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