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Sancocho panameño
Chicken and yam soup
Panama's chicken and yam soup with culantro and oregano
Sancocho is Panama's national dish, a golden chicken soup thickened with ñame (white yam), seasoned with culantro (a strong, saw-edged cousin of coriander), oregano and onion; families make it on Sundays, after a long night out and whenever someone is unwell, and the soup from the town of Chitré in the Azuero peninsula is said to be the best. It is served with white rice on the side, which people spoon into the bowl. The mistake is adding the yam too early; it dissolves and the broth turns gluey, so add it after the chicken has simmered. Chef's tip: some of the yam should break down to thicken the broth, so let it cook until the edges soften.
- Total time
- 90 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 3 ⅓ lb chicken piecesbone in, skin removed
- 10 ½ cups water
- 1 onionchopped
- 4 garlic clovescrushed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ⅓ oz culantro leavesor a large handful of coriander
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ¾ lb white yam (ñame)peeled, in 5 cm chunks
- 2 corn cobs (optional)in 4 pieces, optional
- 14 oz white ricecooked, to serve
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 3 ⅓ lb chicken pieces, 10 ½ cups water, 1 onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, half the ⅛ oz culantro leaves, 2 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper in a large pot. Bring to the boil, skim, and simmer for 30 minutes.
35 minStep 2: Add 1 ¾ lb white yam (ñame) and 2 corn cobs and simmer for 30–35 minutes more, until the yam is very soft and starting to break up.
35 minStep 3: Mash a few pieces of yam against the side of the pot to thicken the broth. The chicken must reach 165°F.
Step 4: Chop the rest of ⅛ oz culantro leaves and stir it in just before serving. Serve in deep bowls with 14 oz white rice on the side.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 420 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sancocho panameño take?
- About 90 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 70 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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