**Discover the Sweet and Savory Delights of Puerto Rican Ají Dulce**
Ají dulce, a vibrant and flavorful pepper, holds a special place in Puerto Rican cuisine. Its unique sweet and mildly spicy taste profile makes it a versatile ingredient that elevates both savory and sweet dishes. Join us on a culinary journey as we explore a collection of tantalizing recipes that showcase the versatility of ají dulce. From traditional stews to refreshing salads, spicy sauces to delectable desserts, these recipes capture the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine and promise an explosion of flavors with every bite. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!
**Recipe Highlights:**
* **Ají Dulce Stuffed Mofongo:** This classic Puerto Rican dish combines savory mofongo, a mashed plantain dish, with a flavorful filling of ají dulce, sofrito, and ground beef.
* **Ají Dulce Pork Chops:** Tender pork chops are marinated in a zesty blend of ají dulce, garlic, oregano, and cumin, then grilled to perfection.
* **Ají Dulce Shrimp Scampi:** Succulent shrimp are sautéed in a creamy sauce infused with ají dulce, garlic, white wine, and a touch of chili flakes.
* **Ají Dulce and Coconut Rice:** Fluffy rice is cooked with coconut milk, ají dulce, and aromatic spices for a delightful side dish.
* **Ají Dulce Passion Fruit Sorbet:** Cool down with this refreshing sorbet made with sweet passion fruit, ají dulce, and a hint of lime.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes offer a delightful exploration of Puerto Rican flavors. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and create dishes that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico.
PUERTO RICAN SOFRITO
Sofrito, also called Recaíto; is a staple to seasoning many Puerto Rican food dishes.
Provided by Kitchen De Lujo
Categories Sauce
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Start off by roughly chopping the yellow onion. Continue doing the same and removing the seeds from the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and the ají dulces.
- Place the chopped ingredients into a food large sized food processor or blender.
- Break apart the garlic head into cloves and peel away the outer papery skin. Place the garlic cloves and culantro leaves into the food processor or blender.
- Add a tbsp of salt, black pepper, and oregano. Lastly, add the 1/3 cup of olive oil and blend everything together.
AUTHENTIC PUERTO RICAN SOFRITO RECIPE
Sofrito is a base used in traditional Hispanic cooking for stews, beans, and meat.
Provided by Latina Mom Meals
Categories Sauce
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Once everything has been rinsed and seeded, in small batches blend them in either a food processor or blender. (They may have to be done in batches. Onions are great on the bottom, they give off a lot of liquid once blended.)
- Refrigerate in a sealed container. Freeze in small containers extras that will not be used within the next two weeks
PIQUE (PUERTO RICAN HOT SAUCE)
This recipe is for hot sauce! Hot but flavorful. The consistency isn't a thin liquid like Tabasco®. It's a little on the thick side so it doesn't disappear when you put it on your food. Great with everything on your plate...that is, if you love it hot and spicy! This keeps in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Provided by Ds R.
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean
Time P7DT23m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/4 of the onion, habanero peppers, aji dulce, and garlic. Cook and stir until tender, about 3 minutes. Let cool at least 5 minutes.
- Transfer pepper mixture to a blender. Add pineapple juice, lime juice, tequila, vinegar, cilantro, culantro, sugar, oregano, salt, black pepper, cacao powder, and cumin. Blend until smooth. Pour sauce into a glass bottle with a lid; let stand for a least 1 week for flavors to blend.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 52.4 calories, Carbohydrate 6.8 g, Fat 1.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 77.2 mg, Sugar 3.7 g
MOFONGO STUFFING
Mofongo, which in its most traditional form is a fried-and-mashed fusion of plantains, pork rinds, garlic and peppers, symbolizes Puerto Rico's soul food. It is beloved, even if sometimes misunderstood; it can be vexingly heavy, but when it's executed properly there's a righteous balance of crispness and fluff. For this recipe we went to the chef Jose Enrique. We asked him for a mofongo for the Thanksgiving table, standing at the ready to soak up gravy and meet your turkey on the tip of a fork.
Provided by Jeff Gordinier
Categories dinner, lunch, sauces and gravies, main course
Time 50m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cubanelle, ají dulce and ají caballero peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes and cilantro and cook 1 minute. Add 1 cup water and the butter and let mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Carefully transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and purée until smooth.
- Fill a large heavy-bottom pot with about 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil and set over medium-high heat. Working in batches, deep-fry plantains until tender, about 3 minutes per batch; drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Combine plantains, vegetable purée and pork rinds in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a small baking dish and bake until top is just starting to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 566, UnsaturatedFat 37 grams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 13 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SOFRITO
Sofrito is the base for most Puerto Rican dishes, and this one is better than store bought (difficult to find in the stores in the Western United States). This can be added to beans, rice, soups, stews, you name it.
Provided by FIVEBRIGS
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 80
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a food processor, combine green peppers, red peppers ajies dulces, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Add cilantro, recao, salt, and pepper. Process to the consistency of semi-chunky salsa (not watery). Place in a resealable plastic freezer bag, and use as needed, or freeze in portions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 9.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.2 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 89 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
Tips:
1. Choose ripe and flavorful peppers: Look for bell peppers that are brightly colored and free of blemishes. The riper the pepper, the sweeter it will be. 2. Use a variety of peppers: To add depth of flavor to your aji dulce, use a combination of different colored peppers. Red, orange, and yellow peppers each have their own unique flavor profile. 3. Roast the peppers before blending: Roasting the peppers brings out their natural sweetness and smokiness. You can roast the peppers in the oven, on a grill, or over an open flame. 4. Add aromatics: To enhance the flavor of your aji dulce, add some aromatic ingredients such as garlic, onion, and cilantro. You can also add a touch of cumin or oregano. 5. Use a blender or food processor: To create a smooth and creamy aji dulce, use a blender or food processor to blend the roasted peppers until they are completely pureed. 6. Adjust the seasoning to taste: Once you have blended the aji dulce, taste it and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or vinegar to achieve the desired flavor balance.Conclusion:
Aji dulce is a versatile condiment that can be used to add flavor and heat to a variety of dishes. It is a staple ingredient in Puerto Rican cuisine, but it is also becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world. With its sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor, aji dulce is a great way to add a touch of excitement to your next meal. Experiment with different recipes and uses for this delicious pepper, and you'll soon discover why it is so beloved by cooks and food lovers around the world.
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