Chile is a country that has many influences from its neighbours, from the food of Peru to the music of Argentina. Chilean recipes have become some of the most popular dishes in the world. Whether you’re looking for a traditional dish or something new, you’ll find something to love in Chilean cuisine. Here are some of the tastiest Chilean recipes you can make in your own kitchen.
Empanadas
Empanadas are a popular Chilean dish made with a pastry dough filled with a variety of fillings. They can range from sweet to savoury and can be fried, baked or even steamed. Chilean empanadas are often made with beef, chicken, or cheese and eggs.
Ingredients
For the pastry: – 2 cups all-purpose flour – 1 teaspoon baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes – 1/2 cup cold water For the filling: – 1/2 pound ground beef – 1/2 onion, diced – 1 garlic clove, minced – 1/2 cup frozen peas – 1/2 cup corn – 1/2 teaspoon cumin – 1/4 teaspoon paprika – 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano – Salt and pepper to taste – 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or your fingers until it resembles coarse meal. Add the cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 2. To make the filling, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Add the onion, garlic, peas, corn, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. 3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). 4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8-inch (3-mm) thickness. Cut circles with a biscuit cutter or the top of a glass. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle. Brush the edges with the beaten egg and fold over to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with a fork to seal. 5. Place the empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Nutrition
Each empanada contains approximately 250 calories, 8g of fat, 28g of carbohydrates, and 11g of protein.
Cazuela
Cazuela is a traditional Chilean stew made with beef, potatoes, pumpkin, and corn. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that can be enjoyed in the winter months.
Ingredients
– 2 tablespoons olive oil – 1 onion, diced – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 1 pound chuck beef, cut into 1-inch cubes – 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed – 1 cup pumpkin, cubed – 1 cup frozen corn – 4 cups beef broth – 1 teaspoon dried oregano – 1/2 teaspoon paprika – Salt and pepper to taste – 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, grated
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the potatoes, pumpkin, corn, beef broth, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes. 4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 5. Transfer the cazuela to an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Nutrition
Each serving of cazuela contains approximately 300 calories, 11g of fat, 25g of carbohydrates, and 24g of protein.
Pastel de Choclo
Pastel de Choclo is a popular Chilean dish made with a corn custard topped with beef, chicken, and hard-boiled eggs. It’s a delicious combination of sweet and savoury flavours.
Ingredients
For the corn custard: – 2 tablespoons butter – 1 onion, minced – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour – 2 cups milk – 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin – 2 cups fresh or frozen corn – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/4 teaspoon black pepper For the topping: – 1/2 pound ground beef – 1/2 onion, diced – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 1/2 teaspoon cumin – 1/4 teaspoon paprika – 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano – Salt and pepper to taste – 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced – 1 cup shredded chicken
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. To make the corn custard, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the flour and stir until combined. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. 4. Add the cumin, corn, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. 5. To make the topping, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. 6. Spread the corn custard in a 9-inch (23-cm) pie dish. Top with the beef mixture, hard-boiled eggs, and shredded chicken. 7. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the custard is set and the topping is golden brown.
Nutrition
Each serving of pastel de choclo contains approximately 300 calories, 12g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates, and 18g of protein.
Curanto
Curanto is a traditional Chilean dish made with seafood, vegetables, and sausages cooked in a pit in the ground. It’s a delicious and unique way to enjoy a variety of flavours.
Ingredients
– 2 pounds mussels – 2 pounds clams – 2 pounds shrimp – 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed – 2 onions, diced – 2 carrots, diced – 2 cups corn – 1/2 pound chorizo sausage, diced – 1/2 pound beef sausage, diced – 2 tablespoons olive oil – Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Dig a pit in the ground and line it with rocks. Heat the rocks with a fire until they are very hot, about 1 hour. 2. Spread the mussels, clams, shrimp, potatoes, onions, carrots, corn, chorizo, and beef sausage in the pit. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Cover the pit with a damp burlap sack and then cover with a damp cloth. Cover the cloth with dirt and let cook for 1 hour. 4. Uncover the pit and stir the ingredients. Cover and cook for another hour. 5. Uncover the pit and stir the ingredients again. The curanto is ready when the mussels and clams have opened and the vegetables are tender.
Nutrition
Each serving of curanto contains approximately 500 calories, 22g of fat, 32g of carbohydrates, and 37g of protein.
Alfajores
Alfajores are popular Chilean cookies made with two shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche. They are a delicious and indulgent treat.
Ingredients
For the cookies: – 2 cups all-purpose flour – 1 cup butter, softened – 1/2 cup sugar – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the filling: – 1 cup dulce de leche – 2 tablespoons butter, melted – 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. To make the cookies, cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. Slowly add the flour and mix until a dough forms. 3. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch (6-mm) thickness. Cut into circles with a biscuit cutter or the top of a glass. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Let cool completely. 4. To make the filling, combine the dulce de leche and melted butter in a medium bowl. 5. To assemble the alfajores, spread 1 tablespoon of the dulce de leche mixture on the bottom of one cookie. Top with another cookie and press gently. Roll the edges of the cookie in the shredded coconut. 6. Repeat with the remaining cookies and dulce de leche.
Nutrition
Each alfajor contains approximately 240 calories, 12g of fat, 29g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein.