SANCOCHO BORICUA 🇵🇷😋

Savor the robust and comforting flavors of Puerto Rican Sancocho, a traditional stew brimming with tender meats and a vibrant array of root vegetables, corn, and squash. Known for its heartwarming qualities, this dish combines sofrito, spices, and aromatic vegetables to create a thick broth that's both nourishing and full of warmth. Perfect for cozy evenings or reviving your spirits, this Sancocho is a flavorful journey to Puerto Rico.

Ingredients

Meats:
🥩 2 lbs Beef, cut into cubes
🐖 1 lb Pork Trotters (optional), cut into pieces

Vegetables & Starches:
🍌 2 Green Plantains, 1 for chunks and 1 for grating into balls
🍌 3-4 Green Bananas, peeled and cut into chunks
🍠 1 large Yam, peeled and cut into chunks
🥥 1 large Yucca, peeled and cut into chunks
🍠 1 medium Sweet Potato (optional), peeled and cut into chunks
🍠 1 medium Purple Taro, peeled and cut into chunks
🍠 1 medium White Taro, peeled and cut into chunks
🥕 1 Carrot, sliced into rounds
🥔 1-2 Potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
🎃 Chunks of Pumpkin/Squash
🌽 2 cobs of Corn, cut into smaller pieces
🌶️ 1/2 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
🌶️ 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
🧅 1/2 Onion, chopped
🧄 3 cloves Garlic, crushed for sofrito
🌿 2 tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped, plus 2 leaves of Recao (Culantro)
🫒 A handful of Olives

Seasonings & Liquids:
🌿 2 tablespoons Sofrito, Homemade
🍅 1 can Tomato Sauce
🌶️ 2 packets Sazón with Achiote, Goya
🌶️ 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
🌿 1 teaspoon Oregano
🧄 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, for plantain balls
🫒 A dash of Olive Oil
🍷 A dash of Vinegar
🧂 1 teaspoon Salt, plus to taste, Morton
💧 6-7 cups Water, or enough to cover ingredients

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Instructions

1- Prepare Meats:

• Optionally soak beef and pork trotters in salted water overnight in the refrigerator.
• Drain the next day and cut into smaller pieces as needed. Trim excess fat from beef.

2- Tenderize Meats:

• In a pot, boil beef with water to cover, 1 garlic clove, dashes of vinegar and olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of salt for 1 hour or until tender.
• Cook pork trotters similarly for 2 hours or until tender. Use a pressure cooker if available to reduce cooking time.

3- Prepare Vegetables and Seasonings:

• While meats are cooking, peel and chop all vegetables as listed.
• Crush 3 garlic cloves.

4- Prepare Plantain Balls:

• Grate one plantain, add garlic powder, and mix.
• Set aside.

5- Sauté Aromatics:

• In a large stockpot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add sofrito, bell peppers, onion, and crushed garlic.
• Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

6- Add Spices and Tomato Sauce:

• Add Sazón, black pepper, and oregano.
• Stir in tomato sauce and 1 cup of beef broth.
• Simmer.

7- Combine Meats and More Liquid:

• Add meats and another cup of beef broth.
• Add olives.

8- Add Root Vegetables and Water:

• Add all pre-chopped root vegetables (except potatoes and pumpkin/squash).
• Cover with 4-5 cups of water.
• Stir well.

9- First Simmer:

• Boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes.

10- Add Remaining Vegetables and Plantain Balls:
- Add potatoes, pumpkin/squash, and plantain balls.

11- Final Simmer:
- Cook for another 15-20 minutes until everything is tender.
- Adjust seasonings.

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Cooking Tips

• Soaking meats helps in tenderizing and cleaning.
• Different cooking times for meats; pork requires longer cooking than beef.
• Delay adding potatoes and squash to avoid mushiness.
• Gently form plantain balls to add unique texture.

Equipment

• Large Stockpot: Termatic
• Medium Saucepan: Chef
• Cutting Board, Kitchen Knife, and other utensils
• Electric Cooktop: Frigidaire

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Cook Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Servings: Approximately 6-8
Calories, Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates: Not specified

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#puertorican #sancocho #heartymeal #traditionalstew #comfortfood

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YouTube channel - Judy's Rincon Boricua

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#judysrinconboricua

Puerto Rican Sancocho