The True Recipe for Caracas Hallacas - The Secret

Venezuelan Hallacas Recipe: The Original Flavor of Caracas

The hallaca is one of the most representative dishes of Venezuelan cuisine, especially during the Christmas holidays. With its combination of rich flavors and its time-consuming and dedicated preparation, the hallaca has become a tradition in Venezuelan homes and among the Venezuelan diaspora around the world. In this article, we bring you the original recipe for the hallaca caraqueña, which reflects the cultural richness of Caracas and its surrounding areas.

What is the Hallaca?

The hallaca is a type of Venezuelan tamale, made from a corn-based dough filled with a stew of beef, pork, chicken, olives, capers, raisins, peppers, and other ingredients. All of this is carefully wrapped in banana leaves, which gives it its distinctive flavor and unique presentation. In Caracas, the hallaca has a special touch that makes it unique and delicious.

Ingredients for the Caracas Hallaca

For the dough:

• 2 kg of precooked corn flour
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup of oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of achiote (for color)
• 1 teaspoon of sugar

For the stew:

• 500g of beef (preferably skirt or chuck)
• 500 g of pork (shoulder or leg)
• 500 g of chicken breast
• 100 g of bacon
• 2 chopped onions
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 chopped red pepper
• 1 chopped green pepper
• 1 cup of green and black olives
• 1 cup of capers
• 1 cup of raisins
• 1 cup of red wine
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 bay leaves

To wrap:

• Banana leaves (about 15-20 leaves)
• Kitchen thread

Preparation of the Caracas Hallaca

1. Dough preparation:

In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal with the hot chicken broth, oil, salt, achiote, and sugar. Knead well until you have a soft, moist dough. If necessary, add more broth to achieve the ideal texture. Set aside.

2. Preparation of the stew:

In a large pot, cook the beef, pork, and chicken in salted water with bay leaves and a splash of red wine. When tender, remove the meat and reserve the broth. Crumble the meat into small pieces.

In a large skillet, sauté the bacon until it renders its fat. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers and cook until soft. Stir in the shredded meats, olives, capers, raisins, red wine, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer everything together over low heat for 30-40 minutes, adding a little of the reserved broth if necessary. Let cool.

3. Preparation of the banana leaves:

Wash the banana leaves thoroughly and cut them into rectangles approximately 25 cm long. To make the leaves more manageable, pass them over direct heat or under hot water to soften them.

4. Assembling the hallaca:

Place a banana leaf on a flat surface. Brush the leaf with a little oil to prevent the dough from sticking. Take a portion of dough (about 2-3 tablespoons) and spread it on the leaf, leaving a margin around the edges. Place a generous amount of stew in the center of the dough, then fold the banana leaves to tightly wrap the hallaca.

5. Cooking the hallaca:

In a large pot of boiling water, cook the hallacas for 1-2 hours. Make sure they are completely covered. After this time, remove the hallacas and let them cool before serving.

Enjoy your Caracas Hallaca

And that's it! You can now enjoy a delicious hallaca caraqueña , a dish full of history and flavor that transports you to the most authentic tastes of Caracas and the Venezuelan Christmas. Pair it with a good red wine or a refreshing Polar beer, and share this delicacy with your friends and family.

Additional Tips for Preparing the Best Hallaca

• Variety of meats: Make sure the meats are well-cooked and shredded. Some people choose to add a little ham or bacon for extra flavor.
• Banana leaves: These are essential for giving hallacas their traditional flavor. If you can't find them fresh, you can use frozen ones.
• Cooking Time: Make sure the hallacas are cooked thoroughly. The key is to cook them slowly so the flavors blend perfectly.

Conclusion

The hallaca is much more than a dish; it's a true tradition that embodies the spirit of the Venezuelan Christmas. This original recipe from Caracas will allow you to enjoy a piece of Venezuela in your home, and there's nothing like the authentic taste of a homemade hallaca! Share this recipe with your loved ones and enjoy the flavor of Caracas with a recipe that is sure to become your new Christmas tradition.

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