Cómo preparar locro
Are you looking to delve into the rich culinary traditions of Latin America? If so, you might want to try your hand at preparing a classic dish from Colombia: locro. This hearty stew is a staple in Colombian cuisine, known for its warm, comforting flavors and colorful presentation. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to prepare this delicious dish, ensuring that you can enjoy a taste of Colombia right in your own kitchen.
First and foremost, let’s start with the ingredients. To make locro, you’ll need the following:
– 1 pound of potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
– 1 pound of yuca (cassava), peeled and cut into chunks
– 1/2 pound of green plantains, peeled and cut into chunks
– 1 cup of corn kernels
– 1/2 cup of green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/2 cup of red beans, soaked overnight and drained
– 1/2 pound of beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
– 4 cups of chicken or beef broth
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
– 1/4 teaspoon of allspice
– 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads (optional)
Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s move on to the preparation steps:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
2. Add the beef to the pot and cook until it’s browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
3. In the same pot, add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent the paste from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
4. Return the beef to the pot along with the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, allspice, and saffron threads (if using). Stir well to combine the spices with the beef.
5. Add the chicken or beef broth to the pot, bringing the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 30 minutes, or until the beef is tender.
6. While the beef is cooking, prepare the vegetables. In a separate pot, bring a large amount of water to a boil. Add the potatoes, yuca, and green plantains, and cook until they are tender. Drain and set aside.
7. Once the beef is tender, add the corn kernels, green beans, and red beans to the pot. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the beans are tender.
8. Add the cooked potatoes, yuca, and green plantains to the pot, and stir well to combine all the ingredients.
9. Season the locro with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
10. Serve the locro hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or avocado slices. Enjoy your homemade Colombian locro and let the flavors transport you to the streets of Bogotá!
