Pipián

Pipián is a traditional Mexican dish typically consisting of poblano peppers, shredded chicken, and sesame seeds. The sauce is a vibrant green color due to the combination of green tomatillos, chili peppers, pumpkin seeds (or peanuts), and various spices. This dish is often served with rice and tortillas, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.

Here’s a simple recipe that serves 4-6 people:

Ingredients:
– 1 lb (500g) cooked shredded chicken
– 2 lbs (1 kg) tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
– 3-4 poblano peppers or anaheim peppers
– 2 cups (400ml) chicken broth
– 1/2 cup (50g) pumpkin seeds
– 2 cloves of garlic
– 1/2 medium onion, chopped
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tsp cumin powder
– 1 tsp oregano
– Cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven’s broiler, and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Place poblano peppers on a baking sheet and broil until their skins are charred all over, about 5-7 minutes on each side. Allow them to cool slightly, then remove the skin, seeds, and stem before chopping into chunks.
3. In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat, and sauté chopped onion until they’re translucent. Add garlic and stir for another minute.
4. Combine broiled poblano peppers, tomatillos, chicken broth, pumpkin seeds, cumin powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in the same pot with the sautéed onions and garlic.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
6. Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer the contents to a regular blender (in batches) to blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more chicken broth.
7. Return the blended sauce to the pot, stir in cooked shredded chicken, and let it simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
8. Serve with rice, tortillas, and garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.

This recipe is quite versatile – you can adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences, or even substitute the chicken for another protein like pork or beef. Enjoy!

Image model: PixelAlchemy