Achiote-Marinated Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaves

Page 47

Cuisine: Central/South American | Course Type: Main Courses

(2 reviews)

View photos (3)

Tags: grilling annato barbecue banana leaves

Recipe Review

This is a superb and exotic (at least for this Canadian) way to prepare chicken on the grill, and makes for great presentation for a party as well as a delicious meal anytime.

You marinate chicken breasts in an achiote marinade, made up of annato seeds, garlic, cumin, oregano, vinegar and orange juice among other things (including a tablespoon of black pepper). Then wrap them in banana leaves with some red onion and chopped tomato. 25 minutes or so on a hot grill and you have this delightful charred package to unwrap - inside is an incredibly tender and juicy chicken breast, perfectly cooked.

It's a little work to source annato seeds and banana leaves, but once you have them you can do this multiple times as the seeds keep and the leaves freeze very well.

The flavour is distinctive, not overpowering, and a little exotic. Very nice indeed, and my favourite recipe so far from this book.

(3) useful  

Comments

cadfael - 30th July 2011
Andrew if you liked these flavours you may also like the Cookbook "Daisy Cooks". She had a PBS show a few years back & cooks latin flavours for the NA palate.

I liked your review. With the info I can picture it in my head.

andrew - 31st July 2011
Thanks, Cadfael - I'll check it out. I found her website at http://www.daisycooks.com.

My wife got excited after I made these and has been thinking of other things to cook in banana leaves. We're thinking a firm fish like halibut would be nice.

(edited 31st July 2011) 

Queezle_Sister - 31st July 2011
You can also make tamales wrapped in banana leaves.
Loved your review, too.

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