Everything You Need To Know About Aji De Gallina: Peruvian Chicken Stew
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If you’re new to Peruvian food then you’re likely to love this Aji de Gallina chicken! It is a classic chicken recipe that will not disappoint.
It is made with a creamy, pepper sauce and shredded chicken breast. It also contains aji amarillo chili pepper, pecan nuts, parmesan and minced garlic.
This dish is delicious when served with some slices of boiled potatoes.
There are no Peruvian foods that are more typical than this dish.
This article will tell you everything there is to know about Aji De Gallina, the traditional Peruvian Chicken Stew.
Origins Of Aji De Gallina
Most Peruvian dishes focus on necessity and simplicity. The most famous Peruvian dishes focus on very simple recipes, with at-hand ingredients.
This is specifically true of Aji De Gallina.
The origins of this dish can be traced back to a desert from the Catalan cuisine. This dessert is known as menjar blanc and it is from as far back as the 14th century.
The dish was brought over to Peru by the Spanish, and it started out as a sweet stew that was made with hen breast, sugar and almonds.
Over the years, it became the recipe that is known as aji de gallina.
Legend suggests that, while some people believe that the dish originated from Catalan, there are legends that say differently.
People believe that it was the slaves of these Spanish conquistadors that have the credit for this dish.
It is believed that they had just enough food to survive and so they developed this dish.
It was developed by picking pieces of leftover chicken from the bone and mixing them with other ingredients. These leftovers at some stage became menjar blanc.
This dish is super simple and it highlights the fact that the dish comes from the humble beginnings of Peru. Now, it is a very important dish in Peruvian cuisine.
Variations Of Aji To Suit Everyone
In this dish, the hen meat that was traditionally used has been replaced by chicken breasts. These have a similar flavor but are much more tender.
There is also some debate surrounding the type of nut that is necessary. Some recipes use walnuts and some use almonds, however, the most common nut to use is pecans.
The great thing about this dish is that you can experiment with lots of different recipes to see which way of cooking this dish suits you the best.
It is a great way to experiment with all of the different dietary requirements that you may face.
You can also try varying the recipe by replacing the chicken with tuna, mushrooms or other vegetables. This is great for those that are pescetarian or vegetarians.
If you are lactose intolerant or you follow a vegan diet, you can remove the milk, cheese and egg, replacing them with alternatives.
You can also add some tofu to the dish to maintain the texture.
If you’re not a fan of spicy foods, you may want to remove or cut down on the aji amarillo chili peppers, however this will have a large effect on the flavor of the dish.
Empanadas
If you love aji de gallina, and you love empanadas then you can’t go wrong with mixing them together!
The savory pastry known as empanadas are usually made with minced meat or cheese. They are a very common and popular snack in lots of countries across South America.
Filling the empanada with aji de gallina is absolutely delicious and it is a must try!
Changing Ingredients
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to food, and not everyone will enjoy all of the ingredients of Aji De Gallina.
For this reason, it is important to be able to substitute certain things.
For instance, if someone in your family doesn’t eat meat, then you may want to replace the meat with something else.
This can be the same with certain spices, as some people are allergic to or do not like the taste of certain spices.
Peruvian cuisine is beginning to grow in popularity and gain recognition.
There are many chefs in the US who are recreating dishes from their childhood that they remember their abuelas cooking.
This recipe is based on the traditional version of this dish that you are likely to find in homes all over peru.
There are many different recipes for this dish, and they all have their own twists on certain aspects of the dish.
This recipe is a mild and creamy dish that can be served over sliced potatoes or rice. It is perfect for a cold night.
You can pick how many of the aji amarillo peppers that you want to add depending on how spicy you are and what you are cooking.
Method
If you are looking at how to make Aji De Gallina, follow these steps below:
Make the chicken stock. This should be done by placing the chicken and the vegetables in cold water and boiling for around 30 minutes. You should then strain the stock and take the chicken out.
While the stock is on the heat, you will need to cook two pasture raised eggs. These will need to be boiling for at least 5 minutes. Then, peel them and place them aside.
Next, chop the onion and garlic and cook them until they are translucent.
Then, mis the coconut milk, chicken stock, nuts, parmesan and other ingredients in a blender until they are nice and creamy.
Add all of these ingredients together, adding the chili’s or chili paste at this stage and mix well.
Serve the dish over boiled potatoes or rice.
Influences
This traditional dish is heavily influenced by Asian immigration into Peru.
It is said that Peruvian cuisine is a mixture of Japanese, Indonesian, African and Chinese dishes, mixed together using local techniques, ingredients and flavors.
Where Can I Find Aji Amarillo?
It can be difficult to find aji amarillo in the United States. You may not find them at your local supermarket, so you may have to look further afield.
If you’re seeking them out, head over to the Latin markets or Hispanic shops in your local area.
If you can’t find it, you may want to buy it in the form of frozen or jarred paste. Any form of aji amarillo will offer you a flavorful dish and will work.
If you can’t find it in any form then you may want to replace it with Scotch bonnet or habanero.
They make good substitutes because they have a spicy and fruity flavor.
Is Aji De Gallina Healthy?
Aji De Gallina contains a lot of different hearty ingredients. It is filling and delicious.
This dish contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a healthy and well-rounded diet. It also contains plenty of protein in the chicken.
Final Thoughts
Now you should know everything there is to know about the traditional Peruvian comfort dish known as Aji De Gallina. It is a delicious dish that is definitely worth a try!
