Anticuchos Recipes

PERUVIAN ANTICUCHOS

Steps:

• Place the pieces of heart in a glass or ceramic tray.
• Previously, soak the chiles in hot water until they are soft, devein and take the seeds off. If you want you can keep some of the seeds to make it spicier. In Peru we use aji panca, but this works well too.
• Blend the vinegar, garlic, aji panca (or dried chile), and all other ingredients with 1/2 cup of the oil until you have a soft paste.
• Pour it on the pieces of heart and distribute evenly so all pieces are well covered and can absorb the marinade. Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Do not let them marinade for too long or they will dry out because of the vinegar.
• In the meantime, place thick bamboo skewers to soak in water so they don't burn when they go on the grill.
• Use a charcoal grill and make sure the coals are very hot before you start.
• Stick three or four pieces of heart in each skewer, so that the meat lays flat.
• Save the rest of the marinade in a cup or small bowl and add the rest of the oil to it, mixing well. This will be used for basting the anticuchos on the grill.
• Tie some pieces of fresh corn husk with a string made out of some more husk and shred them half the way to make a kind of brush and use it for basting. (You can use dry husk too but you need to soak it for a while in warm water to make it flexible and then pat it dry before you use it).
• When the coals are ready and the grill is hot place the anticuchos flat on the grill and baste them generously with the leftover marinade and oil mix.
• This will drip and cause the coals to flame, make sure it flames over because this is what gives the anticuchos their distinctive flavor.
• Let anticuchos cook for about 1 minute and a half on each side. DO NOT OVERCOOK! They will dry out and become tough. Medium or medium well is fine. Turn them over continuously and keep basting and flaming until they are done.
• Hold two or three at a time to turn them over quickly.
• At the same time, place the pieces of corn and potatoes on a corner of the grill, baste them with the same marinade and allow them to be flamed too.
• Serve three skewers in each plate, accompanied by one piece of corn and one potato. You can also cut the potatoes in half (across not length wise) and stick a piece at the end of each skewer.
• Serve hot, right out of the grill, don't let it get cold! ENJOY! :P.
• What takes the longest time is to slice and cut the heart in squares and stick the pieces on the skewers; as you get practice doing this it will be faster, allow yourself some more time of preparation the first couple of times.
• You can also use regular beef, chicken, fish, prawns, or lamb to make anticuchos, but the original and traditional recipe calls for cow heart. Hope you like it! :).

CHICKEN THIGH ANTICUCHOS

Steps:

• Make the aji panca puree: Put the aji panca chiles in a large bowl and cover with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Cover with plastic wrap; let soak at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Puree the chiles and their soaking liquid with 1 teaspoon salt in a high-powered blender. You should have 2 cups; remove 1 1/2 cups and reserve.
• Make the marinade: Add the olive oil to the remaining puree in the blender along with the vinegar, tamari, gochujang, garlic, cumin, oregano and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Season the chicken with salt and toss with the marinade in a large bowl; let sit 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the serrano-cilantro sauce: Blend the serranos, poblano, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender until mostly smooth. Set aside.
• Preheat a grill to medium high. Thread 4 or 5 pieces of chicken skin-side up onto each of 10 wooden skewers, leaving space between each piece. Grill the chicken skewers skin-side down until marked, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until charred and cooked through, 3 to 4 more minutes.
• Transfer the skewers to plates and top with some of the reserved aji panca puree and the serrano-cilantro sauce. Sprinkle with cilantro and peanuts.

ANTICUCHOS (GRILLED BEEF HEART)

Steps:

• Remove stems from chiles and shake out and discard seeds. In small saucepan place chiles with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let sit 20 minutes to soften. Drain and discard water. In a blender combine dried chiles, annatto seeds, garlic, cumin, red wine vinegar and jalapeno. Puree at high speed 1 - 2 minutes, or until thick and smooth. Add olive oil and salt and blend again until mixed. Cut beef hearts into 2 x 1/4-inch strips. Place in a bowl, pour over chile mixture and toss to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight. Preheat grill or broiler. Thread 4 - 5 pieces of beef heart on a bamboo skewer. Grill until seared on all sides, about 3 - 5 minutes. Serve hot.

ANTICUCHOS

Steps:

• Blend well. Marinate meat for at least 18 hours and up to 3 days. Skewer meat (if skewers are wooden, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning).
• Cook meat over hot charcoal fire. Baste with marinade. If desired, you can add bacon drippings to the marinade while basting (not during marinating).

ANTICUCHO DE CORAZON

Steps:

• Aji panca:.
• Stem and devein the ajies (keep some veins for a very spicy paste).
• Toast in dry skillet over high heat for a few minutes, then blanche.
• Blanche 1, 2, or 3 times (in a change of water each time) for more or less spiciness. Spiciness reduces with each blanching.
• Process ajies in a blender or food processor with a steel blade, with just enough water and oil to make a thick paste.
• Push the mixture through a fine sieve.
• Discard any remaining skin and veins.
• Yield: 1 cup.
• Marinade:.
• Mix all ingredients.
• Assembly:.
• Remove all skin and sinews from the heart.
• Cut meat into large bits-sized pieces.
• Place 3-4 pieces onto bamboo skewers, and marinade overnight.
• When ready to prepare, remove from marinade and sprinkle with salt.
• Barbecue for about 3 minutes per side over very high heat. Baste with extra oil and remaining marinade as necessary.
• Serve immediately.