Tropical Chicken Torta

Ingredients

The Tropical Chicken Torta differs from the original Torta Bejarana in several ways. Firstly, the original Spanish dish uses pork as the main protein, while this Somali adaptation replaces it with chicken. Secondly, the spices used in the marinade are influenced by Somali cuisine, incorporating flavors like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Lastly, the sauce used in the Somali version is a tangy and spicy Somali-style sauce, which adds a unique twist to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Torta Bejarana, so you can check it out.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (500g / 1.1lb) 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (500g / 1.1lb)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 crusty rolls 4 crusty rolls
• 1 cup shredded lettuce 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato, sliced 1 tomato, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• Somali-style sauce (see recipe below) Somali-style sauce (see recipe below)
• Somali-style sauce: Somali-style sauce:
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Somali spice blend (equal parts cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper) 1 teaspoon Somali spice blend (equal parts cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste Salt to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (Sugar: 4g)
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, paprika, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and rub them with the marinade mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Drizzle the olive oil over the marinated chicken breasts and place them on the preheated grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice charred exterior. Remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
5. 5.
   While the chicken is resting, prepare the Somali-style sauce by combining the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Somali spice blend, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
6. 6.
   Slice the crusty rolls in half and lightly toast them if desired.
7. 7.
   To assemble the Tropical Chicken Torta, spread a generous amount of the Somali-style sauce on the bottom half of each roll. Place a grilled chicken breast on top, followed by shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and red onion. Top with the other half of the roll.
8. 8.
   Serve the Tropical Chicken Torta immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken breasts — For juicier chicken, you can brine the chicken breasts in a mixture of salt and water for 30 minutes before marinating.
• Somali spice blend — If you can't find a pre-made Somali spice blend, you can make your own by combining equal parts cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add sliced avocado or pickles to the Tropical Chicken Torta.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the Somali-style sauce.
• If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken on a stovetop grill pan or in a regular frying pan.
• To save time, you can prepare the Somali-style sauce in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.
• If you want a vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken with grilled tofu or portobello mushrooms.

Serving advice

Serve the Tropical Chicken Torta with a side of crispy fries or a refreshing salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

To make the Tropical Chicken Torta visually appealing, you can garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley on top.