Christmas Eve Hallacas
Venezuelan hallacas stuffed with braised meat, peppers, raisins, capers, and olives are a labor of love — but worth it.
Ingredients
Broth
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1 (3-to 4-pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces, plus carcass
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1 leek (dark and light green parts), separated
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2 large scallions (dark and light green parts), separated
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Stew
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1 pound lean pork loin roast, cut into 1-in. cubes
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4 ounces pork belly, chopped (optional)
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1/4 cup canola oil
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1 white onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
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3/4 cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, chopped
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1/4 cup Moscatel wine or similar fortified wine
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1 tablespoon grated papelón (also known as piloncillo or panela)
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6 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1/4 cup)
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2 fresh whole ají dulce peppers (optional)
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1 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 pound beef stew meat
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1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
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1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
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1/3 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives
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1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons raisins
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1 teaspoon drained non-pareil capers
Dough (Masa)
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1 1/4 cups canola oil
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1 tablespoon annatto seeds
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2 3/4 cups (about 16 ounces) precooked white cornmeal (masarepa)
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1 tablespoon kosher salt
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10 banana leaves, thawed if frozen, washed
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Kitchen twine
Direction
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Prepare the Broth
Place chicken pieces and carcass, dark green parts of leek and scallions, and salt, plus more to taste, in a large pot; add water until just covered. Cover and bring to a simmer over high; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally and skimming any excess foam from top, until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 1 hour.
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Transfer chicken breast, thighs, and drumsticks to a cutting board, and let rest until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes; discard wings or reserve for another use. Drain Broth through a fine mesh strainer into a large heatproof bowl or pot. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Transfer Broth to airtight containers, reserving 3 1/2 cups Broth for Stew and Dough. Shred chicken meat, and set aside; discard skin and bones.
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Prepare the Stew
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high. Add pork loin, and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of pork reads 145°F, about 10 minutes; drain, discarding liquid. Set cooked pork loin aside.
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Place pork belly (if using) and oil in a large pot or Dutch oven; cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 6 minutes. (Do not remove from pot.)
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While pork belly cooks, chop reserved light green parts of leek and scallions. Reduce heat in pot to medium; add white onion and chopped light green parts of leek and scallions; cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 8 minutes.
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Add roasted red bell peppers, Moscatel wine, papelón, garlic, ají peppers (if using), and 1 cup of the reserved chicken broth to pot; bring to a simmer over medium heat, about 2 minutes. Add salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper; simmer until flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Add beef stew meat and reserved cooked pork loin; partially cover, and cook over low, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender, about 1 hour. Add reserved shredded chicken; partially cover, and simmer over low, stirring occasionally, until meat shreds easily using a fork, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat; shred beef stew meat and pork loin. Stir in red onion, red bell pepper, olives, raisins, and capers. Transfer to a large bowl, and set aside.
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While mixture in pot simmers, prepare the Dough (Masa): Heat oil and annatto seeds in a small saucepan over low; cook stirring occasionally, until fragrant and turns an intense orange-gold color, about 5 minutes. Set annatto seed oil aside, and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
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In a large bowl, stir together precooked cornmeal and 1 cup reserved annatto seed oil. Stir in remaining 2 1/2 cups reserved chicken broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until fully combined with each addition. Stir in salt, and set aside until ready to use.
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Using kitchen shears, cut each banana leaf into 3 sizes: 1 large (14- x 10-inch) rectangle (main leaf that is used for Dough and Stew), 1 medium (10- x 10-inch) square (second wrapper to secure main leaf), and 1 thin (10-inch) strip (to wrap around as a band to prevent other leaves from unfolding before tying with twine).
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Remove any center stems from banana leaves without cutting into leaves. (You can pass leaves over an open flame until they are no longer shiny, or microwave in 10-second intervals to make leaves more pliable.)
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Working with 1 banana leaf at a time, lay large rectangle leaf flat on a work surface. Brush with enough remaining annatto seed oil to make a thin, even coating on top side. Place 1/2 cup Dough in center of oiled banana leaf rectangle. Using oiled hands, press into a thin, 7-inch round, about 1/8-inch thick. Spoon a scant 2/3 cup Stew over center of Dough.
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Fold bottom half of banana leaf over Stew; then fold top half of banana leaf over Stew (so Stew is completely encased by Dough and banana leaf). Pinch open sides closed, and fold under to create a rectangular package. Use medium-size leaf to create a second wrapper, folding in same direction. Use small-size strip to wrap around leaves. Repeat with remaining banana leaves, Dough, and Stew.
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Secure banana leaves on all sides using kitchen twine (being careful not to tie too tightly or leaves will crack open).
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Place hallacas in a large pot, and add water to cover. Cover pot, and bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, covered, until plump and firm, about 1 hour.
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Transfer hallacas to a plate, and let rest 5 minutes to firm up. Unwrap and serve with or without main banana leaf.
