Guatemalan Paches: A Hearty Delight

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) masa harina (corn flour) 2 cups (400g) masa harina (corn flour)
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cooked and shredded 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cooked and shredded
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 8-10 banana leaves, cleaned and cut into squares 8-10 banana leaves, cleaned and cut into squares
• 1/4 cup (60ml) tomato sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) tomato sauce

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the masa harina and chicken broth. Mix well until a smooth dough-like consistency is achieved.
2. 2.
   In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the shredded chicken, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
4. 4.
   Remove the pan from heat and let the chicken mixture cool slightly.
5. 5.
   Take a square piece of banana leaf and place a spoonful of the masa harina mixture in the center. Flatten it slightly with the back of the spoon.
6. 6.
   Add a spoonful of the chicken mixture on top of the masa harina.
7. 7.
   Fold the banana leaf over the filling to form a neat package. Secure it with a toothpick or kitchen twine.
8. 8.
   Repeat the process with the remaining banana leaves and filling.
9. 9.
   Place the wrapped Paches in a steamer basket and steam for about 1 hour, or until the masa harina is cooked through.
10. 10.
    Serve the Paches warm, drizzled with tomato sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Banana leaves — Before using, clean the banana leaves thoroughly with water to remove any dirt or debris. Cut them into squares of suitable size for wrapping the Paches.

Tips & Tricks

• If banana leaves are not available, you can use corn husks as a substitute for wrapping the Paches.
• To enhance the flavor, you can add achiote paste to the chicken mixture.
• Serve Paches with a side of Guatemalan salsa or pickled vegetables for an extra burst of flavor.
• Leftover Paches can be refrigerated and reheated in a steamer or microwave for a quick and delicious meal.
• Experiment with different meat fillings such as pork or beef to create your own variation of Paches.

Serving advice

Serve Paches as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. Drizzle some tomato sauce over the Paches for added flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Paches on a platter, removing the toothpicks or kitchen twine before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of color.