Ecuadorian FoodTurkey Seco in Passion Fruit and Annatto Sauce with Creamy Hominy and Pickled Red Onion
An original Ecuadorian-inspired dish featuring turkey seared and gently stewed in a fragrant sauce of passion fruit, annatto, cumin, and cilantro, served with creamy hominy and fresh cheese plus pickled red onion for brightness and contrast.
Ingredients
- 700 g boneless turkey thighs, cut into chunks (skinless)
- 240 ml passion fruit juice (without semillas if preferred)
- 500 g cooked hominy (escurrido)
- 120 g fresh cheese, crumbled (for the mote cremoso)
- 220 g red onion (the mitad en plumas for encurtido and the mitad chopped for the dry)
- 12 g garlic (chopped)
- 120 g red bell pepper (chopped diced small)
- 180 g tomato (pelado and chopped)
- 30 g cilantro (chopped, divided)
- 20 g annatto paste (or pasta of achiote)
- 4 g ground cumin
- 2 g dried oregano
- 15 g grated panela (or sugar morena)
- 360 ml chicken broth (low sodium)
- 180 ml milk (for the mote cremoso)
- 20 g butter (for the mote cremoso)
- 45 ml lime juice (for the encurtido)
- 30 ml white vinegar (for the encurtido)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 10 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g black pepper (or to taste)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a bowl, combine the sliced red onion with the lime juice, white vinegar, 1 g (about 1/4 tsp) salt, and 1 tablespoon of the chopped cilantro. Massage lightly and let it pickle while you prepare the rest.
- 2
2. Season the turkey pieces with 4 g (1 tsp) salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and dried oregano.
- 3
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Brown the turkey for 6 to 8 minutes, turning to sear all sides. Remove and set aside.
- 4
4. In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Sauté the chopped red onion, garlic, and red bell pepper for 4 minutes until softened. Add the chopped tomato and cook 3 more minutes.
- 5
5. Stir in the annatto paste and grated panela. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, so the annatto flavors the sofrito.
- 6
6. Return the turkey to the pot. Pour in the passion fruit juice and chicken broth, mix well, and add half of the remaining cilantro. Once it comes to a boil, lower to medium-low heat, partially cover, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes, until the turkey is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened.
- 7
7. Meanwhile, make the creamy hominy. In a medium saucepan, combine the cooked hominy, milk, butter, and 3 g (1/2 tsp) salt. Cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until the liquid reduces slightly.
- 8
8. Add the crumbled fresh cheese to the hominy and stir for 2 more minutes until creamy while keeping the kernels intact. Keep warm over very low heat.
- 9
9. For a more golden finish, transfer the seco to an oven-safe dish and broil or bake at 400°F / 200°C for 5 minutes; this step is optional.
- 10
10. Adjust the salt in the seco sauce if needed and add the rest of the chopped cilantro just before serving.
- 11
11. Serve a bed of creamy hominy on each plate, top with the turkey seco and plenty of passion fruit sauce, and finish with the pickled onion on top or on the side.
Chef tips
For deeper flavor, you can marinate the turkey with the cumin, garlic, and a little passion fruit juice for 30 minutes before cooking. If the sauce tastes too tart, add an extra pinch of panela.
Substitutions
You can substitute the turkey with boneless chicken thighs. Hominy can be replaced with large-kernel cooked white corn if available. For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened plant-based milk and omit the fresh cheese and butter.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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