Cassava Crisp Stacks with Pumpkin Cream, Sweet Pepper Chicken and Lime-Pickled Red Onion

Instructions

1. 1

   1. Preheat the oven to 375 °F / 190 °C. Cut each cassava flatbread disk into 4 large pieces. Arrange them on a baking sheet and brush with 1 tablespoon of annatto oil. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisper and lightly golden. Set aside.

2. 2

   2. Place the chicken breast in a pot with 1 cup of chicken broth, half of the white onion, half of the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook over medium heat for 18 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove, let cool slightly, and shred. Also reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.

3. 3

   3. While the chicken cooks, combine the red onion with the lime juice, a pinch of salt, and the grated panela. Gently massage with your hands or a spoon and let sit for 15 minutes to lightly pickle.

4. 4

   4. Cook the pumpkin in a small saucepan with 1/2 cup of chicken broth until very tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain if there is excess liquid. Blend or mash the pumpkin with the butter, white cheese, 2 tablespoons chicken broth, a pinch of salt, and a little black pepper until thick and smooth.

5. 5

   5. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons annatto oil over medium heat. Sauté the remaining white onion, remaining garlic, and sweet red pepper for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the ground cumin and dried oregano and cook for 30 seconds more.

6. 6

   6. Add the shredded chicken to the skillet along with the reserved 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring, until the mixture is moist but not watery. Adjust with the remaining salt and black pepper. Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro.

7. 7

   7. To assemble, place one crisp cassava piece as the base, add a generous spoonful of pumpkin cream, then a layer of sweet pepper chicken. Repeat with another cassava piece, more cream, and more chicken to build two-level stacks.

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   8. Top each serving with the lime-pickled red onion and serve immediately to keep the contrast between the crisp cassava, warm cream, and juicy chicken.