Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Chilean cuisine with Charquican, a hearty and flavorful stew that embodies the country's rich culinary heritage. This traditional dish, originating from the central region of Chile, is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring tender beef or pork simmered in a savory broth, accompanied by a medley of vegetables, including potatoes, green beans, and carrots. Charquican is not just a meal; it's a testament to Chile's agricultural bounty and a reflection of its cultural identity.
This comprehensive guide presents three distinct variations of Charquican, each offering a unique taste experience. The Classic Charquican recipe stays true to the traditional preparation, showcasing the harmonious blend of beef, vegetables, and aromatic spices. For a vegetarian twist, the Vegetarian Charquican delights with its meatless rendition, featuring a combination of hearty lentils, vegetables, and flavorful seasonings. And for those seeking a taste of the sea, the Charquican de Mariscos tantalizes with an array of succulent seafood, including shrimp, mussels, and fish, simmering in a rich and flavorful broth.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this guide provides step-by-step instructions, detailed ingredient lists, and helpful tips to ensure your Charquican creation is a culinary masterpiece. Savor the authentic flavors of Chile with these diverse Charquican recipes, and experience the warmth and hospitality embedded in every spoonful.
CHARQUICAN - CHILEAN BEEF STEW
Charquicán is a Chilean dish, a beef stew that is slow-cooked with squash and potatoes. It was traditionally prepared with dried beef (charqui). This version has both stewing beef and some commercial beef jerky (or make your own), which adds a nice smoky flavor and makes the stew seem more like chili (Chilean chili!) My kids love beef jerky and they love this stew. The squash falls apart as it cooks and helps to thicken the broth. You can add any vegetables you have on hand - beans and corn are common. You can make this stew in a crockpot or simmer it on the stove. In Chile, charquicán is often served topped with a fried egg.
Provided by JackieOhNo
Categories Stew
Time 2h15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Toss the cubes of beef with the flour and season with salt and pepper.
- Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Sauté the cubes of beef until browned.
- Add the beef stock to the skillet and bring to a simmer over low heat.
- Chop the beef jerky into small pieces and add to the beef stock and beef cubes. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer beef and beef stock to a large stockpot or slow cooker.
- Do not clean skillet. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, the chopped onion and garlic, and the aji chile pepper paste to the skillet. Sauté until the onion and garlic are soft and fragrant. Add the chopped squash, carrots, and potatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add sautéed vegetables to the stockpot or crockpot with the beef. Simmer over low heat until beef and beef jerky are tender, about a hour and a half on the stove. (about 6 hours in the crockpot). If simmering the stew on the stove, you may need to add more liquid (beef stock or water) from time to time, but stew should finish up very thick, without much broth.
- Add the lima beans and corn and simmer for 10-15 minutes more.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve over rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 642.5, Fat 25, SaturatedFat 9.7, Cholesterol 99.8, Sodium 1163.5, Carbohydrate 66.2, Fiber 10, Sugar 7.2, Protein 42.5
CHARQUICAN- CHILEAN STEW
A hearty Chilean stew that hold a lot of versatility. A good use for leftover meat and for using whatever vegetable you have on hand. Found this on About.com. Have yet to try. Chili pepper amount will very depending on the type of pepper you use and how spicy you like it. Posted for ZWT4, South America.
Provided by Kitchen Witch Steph
Categories Stew
Time 1h25m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- First, fry meat in lard or oil with the onion, corn, chile peppers, salt and oregano.
- When the onion is soft, add the potatoes, vegetables and broth.
- Let simmer until the vegetables are cooked.
- Serve with a fried egg on top of each serving.
Tips:
- Choose high-quality beef: Opt for flank steak or top sirloin for a tender and flavorful stew.
- Slice the beef thinly: This will help it cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the marinade.
- Marinate the beef: Marinating the beef for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, and salt will add flavor and tenderness.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot: This will help distribute heat evenly and prevent the stew from burning.
- Brown the beef in batches: Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will cause the beef to steam instead of brown. Brown the beef in batches until it is browned on all sides.
- Add the vegetables: Once the beef is browned, add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and potatoes to the pot and cook until they are softened.
- Add the liquids: Pour in the beef broth, red wine, and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Season the stew: Add cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the stew: Cover the pot and simmer the stew for at least 1 hour, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite sides: Charquican is traditionally served with rice, but it can also be served with potatoes, bread, or tortillas.
Conclusion:
Charquican is a delicious and hearty Chilean stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. The beef is tender and flavorful, the vegetables are cooked to perfection, and the broth is rich and flavorful. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious charquican that your family and friends will love.
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