Take a culinary journey to Venezuela and discover the vibrant flavors of Guasacaca, a traditional green sauce bursting with freshness and versatility. Made with a harmonious blend of herbs, spices, and tangy citrus, Guasacaca is a staple condiment in Venezuelan cuisine, adding a burst of flavor to grilled meats, empanadas, and arepas. This versatile sauce is also a delightful accompaniment to salads, sandwiches, and wraps, bringing a zesty kick to any dish. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to explore new flavors, Guasacaca is a must-try. This article presents a collection of Guasacaca recipes, including a classic version, an avocado-free variation, and a unique recipe using cilantro instead of parsley. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of Venezuela!
Let's cook with our recipes!
VENEZUELAN GUASACACA (WITHOUT AVOCADO- FOOD CART VERSION)
This recipe does not contain avocado. This is the kind of guasacaca you would find at food carts selling arepas on the calle de hambre (hunger streets) in Venezuela. Every family has their own recipe, and this is ours. Adjusting the taste is very simple once the ingredients are in the blender. Just add more of whatever you'd like.
Provided by LexiMStL
Categories Onions
Time 10m
Yield 2-3 mason jars, 6-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Put all ingredients in blender
- Add some of the reserved water .
- Blend on coarse setting for 20 seconds.
- Stir, then repeat 2 more times, adding water if neccesary.
- You want a creamy and not watery consistency with very small chunks. It should be able to go through a "ketcup-like sqeezy bottle" (technical term).
- If you want avocado for a creamier version, just add one.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 76.7, Fat 4.8, SaturatedFat 0.6, Sodium 1168.8, Carbohydrate 7.3, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 4.1, Protein 1.2
TEQUEñOS WITH GUASACACA (VENEZUELAN FRIED CHEESE STICKS WITH AVOCADO SAUCE)
Tequeños are cheese sticks that are wrapped in dough and then fried. They're a staple of Venezuelan get-togethers. In fact, my parents say that one of the factors for deciding if a party was great is whether or not the hosts ran out of tequeños. Now that you are learning how to make these, you won't be in that tough spot. I like to eat them with guasacaca, which is an avocado sauce that we put on nearly everything. It takes a little bit of searching to find the right cheese for the tequeños, but you can always substitute mozzarella. Depending on how many you're making, wrapping them may take a while, so we love to sit down and do this as a family.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 50m
Yield 25 to 40 tequeños, depending on the cheese purchased
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut the cheese into 3-inch-long planks, then cut them into sticks. Ideally, each one would be 1/2-by-1/2-by-3 inches but the shape of your cheese will dictate the dimensions and number of sticks. If the cheese is hard and crumbles easily, you may want cut it into wider rectangular planks instead of sticks. If using white cheese for frying or mozzarella, heavily salt the cheese, then place on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and let the liquid release while you prepare the dough.
- Working with one empanada disc at a time (keep the rest stacked with their liners, or they'll start to dry out the when you separate them), cut it into six 1-inch-wide strips. Remove the liners in between the discs and reserve them; they will come in handy if storing the tequeños later.
- Fill a small bowl with water. Dab water onto one end of each of the 2 shortest strips, overlap and press them together to create a strip that's as long as one of the remaining four strips.
- Spread the strips out, then dab the ends of one with water and slightly flatten. Place a cheese stick on the strip at an angle and wrap to cover the top of the cheese, pinching if necessary. Once the top is secure, wrap the dough around the stick, overlapping as you go, until the whole stick is covered with no cheese peeking through. You may need to pull and slightly stretch the dough to completely cover the end of the cheese stick. Cut off any excess dough and reserve it to patch up other tequeños, if necessary. If you need to attach another half strip with some water to completely seal, do so. Give the stick a very gentle roll and a tap on either end to seal. Repeat with the remaining cheese and discs. Depending on which cheese you use, you may have discs leftover. Save these for another use.
- The wrapped tequeños can be stacked in an airtight container, each layer separated with the reserved liners, and frozen for up to 3 months or they can be fried immediately.
- If frying right away, heat 2 inches of oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot to 325 degrees F. Place a couple of tequeños in the oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry, flipping once or twice, until golden brown and crisp, about 4 minutes. Bring the oil back up to the correct temperature in between batches.
- Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Let cool slightly before serving with the guasacaca, for dipping.
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or sugar, if necessary. The guasacaca can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Makes 1 3/4 cups.
GUASACACA
A Venezuelan avocado-based sauce, this is lighter and more flavorful than its Mexican cousin guacamole. Adapted from a recipe by George Duran, as reprinted by Tracy Schneider at Al Dente. http://bit.ly/a21B4p
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories Sauces
Time 10m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine everything except olive oil in food processor. Process until mostly smooth. Continue processing while adding olive oil in a steady stream, until fully emulsified and smooth.
- Scrape into a serving bowl and let stand at room temperature 1 hour to allow flavors to blend. Serve over grilled meats, fish or vegetables, or with chips. Store in refrigerator, but bring to room temperature before serving.
- To use as a dip, I recommend adding finely diced red bell pepper and tomato for texture. Remove tops and bottoms from two red bell peppers. Cut into 3 or 4 planks by cutting alongside the ribs; discard the ribs and seeds. Cut into 1/8" julienne, then cut across into 1/8" dice (this very fine dice is called brunoise). Remove the seeds, jelly and internal ribs from two ripe Roma tomatoes using a grapefruit spoon. Repeat the brunoise procedure. Stir the diced red pepper and diced tomato into the guascaca.
Tips:
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use ripe, fresh cilantro, parsley, and onion for the best flavor. These ingredients provide the base of the guasacaca and contribute to its vibrant green color and bright taste.
- Balance the Flavors: Guasacaca should have a harmonious blend of flavors. Adjust the amount of garlic, onion, and vinegar to suit your taste. If you prefer a milder sauce, use less garlic and onion. If you like a tangier sauce, add more vinegar.
- Use a Food Processor: A food processor makes quick work of chopping the herbs, onion, and garlic. However, you can also finely chop them by hand if you prefer. If chopping by hand, mince the garlic and onion very finely for a smooth texture.
- Chill Before Serving: Guasacaca benefits from being chilled before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop. Make it a few hours or even a day in advance for the best results.
Conclusion:
This Venezuelan guasacaca without avocado is a flavorful and versatile sauce that adds a pop of color and brightness to any dish. With its herbaceous, tangy, and slightly spicy notes, it is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, empanadas, arepas, and more. It's an easy-to-make sauce that is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy this food cart version of guasacaca for a taste of Venezuelan cuisine in your own home.
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