Colombian Sancocho

Sancocho is a dish made in Colombia, this dish is considered to be a type of Colombian comfort food. You can make this dish using fish, plantain, beef, chicken or pork. This soup is full of flavor, easy to make and leaves you wanting more. It is traditionally served with avocado, white rice and aji (a colombian salsa). This recipe as many of mine are lower in sodium and made with fresh ingredients.

The Main Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into sections
• 3 ears corn, cut into medallions
• 2 green plantains, cut into medallions
• 1 lb frozen yucca, chopped large
• 6 medium white potatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup aliños
• 9 cups water
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cube chicken bullion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp goya seasoning
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 lime, quartered

Aliños Ingredients:

• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
• 4 scallions
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 tsp Sazon Goya with Asafran (comes in packets in latin american section)
• 1 cup water

Making the aliños:

1. Place peppers, onion, scallions, cumin, garlic, sazon and water into blender or food processor.
2. Blend until a paste
3. Transfer to container for storage and use, keeps up to a week.

Ají Ingredients:

• 1 habanero chile pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1-2 teaspoons salt
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar
• 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/3 cup cilantro, minced
• 6 green onions, white and green parts, chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Black pepper to taste

Making the Ají:

1. Place the pepper in a food processor or blender with the water, vinegar, and lime juice, salt and sugar and process until smooth. 
2. Add the chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, green onions and cilantro to a bowl, and toss the pepper liquid with them, along with the olive oil. 
3. Taste for seasoning and add more salt/sugar/black pepper as needed. 
4. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

How Sancocho is Made:

1. In a large pot combine chicken, corn, aliños, plantains, chicken stock, bullion, garlic and salt. Add water and bring to boil. 
2. Reduce heat to medium and cook for about 30 minutes.
3. Add potatoes, yuca, goya seasoning, pepper. Cook for 30 minutes or until yuca and potatoes are tender.
4. Stir in cilantro.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve in large bowls, divide chicken and veggies evenly.
6. Serve with ají, avocado, lime quarters and white rice.