Cuban dry-style chicken and sweet corn ajiaco with green plantain dumplings

Instructions

1. 1

   1. In a bowl, combine the chicken with the sour orange juice, half of the garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, the cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.

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   2. Meanwhile, place the green plantain in a small pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until tender but not falling apart. Drain.

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   3. Mash the hot plantain with the fine cornmeal, the lard or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt until you have a firm dough. Shape into 12 small dumplings with lightly moistened hands. Set aside.

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   4. In a wide Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. When hot, brown the chicken drained from the marinade for 5 to 7 minutes. Set the chicken aside and keep the leftover marinade as well.

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   5. In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of oil, the onion, green bell pepper, and aji dulce. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the remaining garlic and tomato paste, and cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly.

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   6. Return the chicken to the pot. Add the reserved marinade, chicken broth, bay leaf, malanga, sweet potato, and the sweet corn rounds. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

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   7. Add the pumpkin and cook 10 minutes more, or until the root vegetables are tender and the liquid has reduced into a thick stew rather than a soupy broth. Adjust salt to taste.

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   8. Carefully place the plantain dumplings over the stew, cover, and cook over low heat for 8 minutes so they set and absorb flavor without falling apart.

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   9. Turn off the heat, add half of the fresh cilantro, and stir gently so the dumplings do not break. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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    10. Serve the dry-style ajiaco hot, finished with the remaining fresh cilantro on top. If you want to keep it warm before serving, hold it covered in a 200 °F / 95 °C oven for up to 15 minutes.