Guest Author - Susan Stewart
Puebla sits at a high altitude, so they are able to grow nuts, apples, and other ingredients not usually found in the rest of the country. Here’s some examples of dishes from the region:
Chicken Breasts in Walnut Sauce
(for 12 people)
6 whole chicken breasts
5 dozen walnuts
½ pint cream
1 can red bell peppers
4 oz. soft white cheese, such as farmer’s cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Cook the chicken breasts in water, drain, let cool, and de-bone. If using walnuts in the shell, crack and carefully remove the inner skin as it is bitter. Puree the walnuts, cream, cheese, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Add a little water if needed, though the sauce should be quite thick.
To serve, pour sauce over chicken and garnish with red pepper strips. This dish is served at room temperature.
Tablecloth Stainers (Manchamanteles)
(For 10 people)
This is a great one-dish meal! Don’t let the long list of ingredients bother you, substitutions can always be made.
1 small turkey
2 chorizo sausages
2 poblamo chilies
5 ancho chilies
2 large Roma tomatoes
2 onions
5 cloves garlic
2 slices pineapple
2 apples
2 pears
2 plantains
1 cup green peas
4 oz. unsalted peanuts
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon flour
1 stick cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar
oil as needed
salt and pepper
Cook the peas. Slice the onions into rounds, slice the unpeeled bananas, and dice the rest of the fruit.(Leave the peel on). Roast and peel the tomatoes. Cut the turkey into pieces and gently boil with a few onion rings, salt, and pepper.
Make a sauce by blending the chilies, tomatoes, peanuts, garlic, and cinnamon. Fry the chorizo, remove, and in the same fat, fry the onion rounds. Add the sauce and continue cooking over low heat. Add the cooked meat, turkey broth, fruit, peas, chorizo, sugar, vinegar, and the flour dissolved in a little cold water. Simmer gently until completely cooked.
Zacatlan Style Eggs
(for 6 people)
6 eggs
1 large apple
4 tablespoons butter
1 sprig parsley,minced
salt and pepper
Peel the apple and cut into very thin slices. Beat the eggs well with the salt, pepper, and parsley. Add the apple slices.
Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the eggs. Cook until done to your taste.
