Sancocho, The Colombian Soup

 

 

“Sanconcho is down to earth meat and potato soup” (Anthony Bourdain).  It is the ultimate comfort soup to me, it nourishes the soul, it can heal a broken heart, it keeps you warm on a cold winter day and it is the single greatest cure for a hangover.

Traditionally it is prepared over an open fire with at least 4 people contributing to its glory, but since not all of us can do that here’s a version you can prepare at home over your stove.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken drumsticks
• 4 chicken thighs
• 4 medium size pork cutlets
• 2 corn cobs cut in half
• 2 yuccas (cassava, tapioca) peeled and cut into medium size pieces
• 6 potatoes peeled and cut in half
• 4 stalks fresh coriander
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander
• 1/2 small cabbage, separate the leaves
• 8 cups of water
• 2 chicken stock cubes

Ingredients for the Sofrito

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup coarsely chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped spring onion
• 1 chicken stock cube

Method to put the Sancocho together

• Heat the oil in a large pot.  Fry the sofrito mixture until it is cooked.

• Layer the sauce pan as follows, corn, yucca, pork, chicken and potatoes.
• Add the coriander stalks and chicken cubes.

• Add water until it covers all the ingredients.

• Cover the ingredients with the cabbage leaves.  Then cover the pan with a lid.

• Bring the soup to the boil and then reduce the heat.  Simmer until the potatoes are cooked.  Approximately forty to fifty minutes.
• Taste the stock and season with salt if necessary.
• To serve  the Sancocho in Colombia we plate the vegetables and the meats on separate dishes.

• The stock is served in soup bowls sprinkled with chopped coriander.

Tips

• Traditionally we serve this dish with white rice, avocado and AJI, Colombian salsa.

Method for the AJI,  Colombian Salsa

• 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced into small cubes
• 4 spring onions, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped coriander
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 red chilli, optional, finely chopped
• Tabasco sauce

Method

• Combine all the ingredients in small bowl.  Test the mixture for flavour and let it sit for an hour for the flavours to combine.
• Add more salt and pepper and Tabasco sauce if necessary.
• Serve in a small bowl.