In late 1880s, a number of Jewish immigrants from Russia had settled in Argentina's fertile lands. There, they formed agricultural communities and became gauchos, or cowboys. One common dish that Jewish gauchos would have prepared was a chicken stew with pumpkin, cooked over the camp fire in a clay pot called cazuela. A more contemporary version of this chicken stew, Cazuela Gaucho, prepared in a Dutch oven or a stew pan, is now part of the traditional Argentinian cuisine, and it is my contribution to Foodalogue's Culinary Tour this week.
Ingredients: (this recipe was used as a loose guideline for creating my version)
Vegetable oil
1 pound chicken breast, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
2 cups pumpkin, peeled, cut into cubes
2 cups potatoes, peeled, cut into cubes
1 parsnip, peeled, cut into cubes
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
1 cup white wine
3 cups beef or chicken stock
1/2 cup barley
1/2 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup frozen or fresh peas
1 egg
Salt, pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large stew pan. Mix the chicken with flour. Add to the stew pan and saute for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl.
Add a little more oil to the stew pan and add carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and pumpkin. Saute the vegetables, stirring frequently, for about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Add another tablespoon of oil to the stew pan and add the onions. Saute until the onions are translucent, then add garlic and paprika and cook for another minute, stirring.
Add the chicken and the vegetables back to the stew pan, mix well, and pour wine and stock over. Add a bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes. Add barley and continue to cook for 30 more minutes. Then, add thawed or fresh peas and corn kernels. Cook for another 10 minutes.
In a small bowl beat the egg. Add a little bit of liquid from the stew pan and beat a little more. Add to the stew, and stir well. Cook for 5 minutes longer and serve.
***
I am still on vacation but will be back tomorrow night. Please don't forget to send me your cornbread for this month's 5 Star Makeover, more details here.
