Zapotec Barbacoa
Photo by Adam Milliron. Styling by Ana Kelly.
Barbacoa de Pollo is a traditional Zapotec dish served in the autumn. Renowned natural dyer and International Folk Art Market veteran Juana Gutiérrez Contreras, a partner in her family’s Teotitlan del Valle-based textile business, Porfirio Gutiérrez y Familia, shares her recipe. Translated via telephone by family friend Robert Sturm. Gracias Juana y Robert!
Serve the Barbacoa alongside this fantastic and easy recipe for Spicy Elote, also known as Mexican Street Corn.
Ingredients
1 large chicken, cut into pieces (she said 2.5-3 kilos, if possible)
1 pound dry guajillo chile
3 large cloves of garlic
3 medium or 2 large white onions
A few avocado leaves
2-3 T. Thyme
4 cloves
4.5” of cinnamon stick
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Clean the chile – remove the stems and the seeds. Soak in hot water.
3. Grill the onion and garlic on a comal (or grill pan) until they are seared and easy to peal. Remove from the pan and peel. Add to the chile.
4. Toast the thyme and garlic cloves on the comal (or grill) for just a few seconds, until they start to release their aroma. Process in a food processor or blender with water from the chile bath until smooth. If the liquid is very thick, add a little more water.
5. Clean the chicken and cut into serving-size pieces
6. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in casserole, place the cinnamon strategically and cover with the sauce
7. Cook until chicken is cooked through, approximately one hour.
8. If making tacos, shred the chicken in the kitchen, and place in serving dish. Serve with corn tortillas, and with chopped cilantro, lemon wedges and finely chopped romaine or cabbage. A bit of pico de gallo is never a bad idea.
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