Nuevo Latino Recipes

NUEVO LATINO SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• For the grits: Bring the water or stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Slowly pour in the grits in a thin stream, stirring constantly so they don't form lumps. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until they begin to thicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to ensure they don¿t stick to the bottom on the pot, for 20 medium. Cover and reduce the heat to low and cook until the grits are tender, about 10 minutes more. Stir in the cream, manchego, Monterey Jack, chipotles and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• For the shrimp: Combine the achiote paste, garlic and lime juice in a shallow bowl. Add the shrimp and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes and no more than 6 hours.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sear, 3 minutes per side. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the bourbon, return to the heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are bright pink and cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• For the bourbon redeye gravy: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ham and saute until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Add the onions and mushrooms and continue to saute. Add the bourbon and shake the pan. (It may flame a bit. If so, pull it off the flame and stir.) Add the coffee and bring to a boil. Remove and discard the ham. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and continue to boil until reduced by half. Whisk in the thyme and slowly incorporate the butter until you achieve an emulsified sauce.
• Serve the shrimp with the grits, poblano pepper and gravy.

NUEVO LATINO

Steps:

• In a large pot, over high heat, coat bottom of pot with oil and brown off the chicken breast until golden on both sides. The chicken may have to be browned off in smaller batches to brown evenly. Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Next, add the onion, jalapeno, and the poblano pepper to the pan and saute over medium high heat for 3 minutes. Deglaze with beer and add all other ingredients. Return chicken to the pot and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer for approximately 1 hour or until chicken is falling apart. Remove the chicken at this point and set aside to cool. Use a stick blender to puree the mole and continue to cook over medium heat until the sauce has become thick. Once chicken is cooled, shred chicken and toss with hot mole just before serving.
• For the arroz con pollo rice cakes:
• Place red bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a food processor and pulse ingredients until finely chopped. In a medium sized pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and saute red bell pepper, onion, and garlic mix for about 3 minutes. Next, add the basmati rice and continue to stir for about 3 more minutes. Add the chicken broth and the cumin seeds and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and cover and cook approximately 15 to 20 minutes until all liquid has evaporated. Spread the rice out onto a sheet try and let cool. Once rice is completely cooled, place rice in a medium sized mixing bowl and mix in all other ingredients. Form 8 even sized rice cakes (or patties). In a medium sized saute pan over medium-high heat, cook the rice cakes until golden brown on both sides and cooked through on the inside.
• For the red pepper sofrito:
• Place red bell peppers, onions, and garlic in a food processer and pulse ingredients until finely chopped. In a medium saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook red bell pepper, onion, and garlic mix for approximately 10 minutes or until the raw onion flavor has mellowed. Season with salt and pepper and set mixture aside until ready to serve.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the poblano peppers, jalapenos, and the garlic on a sheet try and roast in oven until peppers are charred (almost black) and garlic is golden brown and soft. Set aside and allow to cool. Next, (using rubber gloves) remove seeds from the poblano peppers and the jalapenos. Place into a food processor along with garlic and all other remaining ingredients, except oil. While machine is running, slowly add enough oil to emulsify mixture. The mixture should be nice and smooth. Set aside until ready to serve.
• For the black bean ragu:
• In a medium pot over medium-high heat, heat oil and saute the poblano pepper and onion for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Next, add all other remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-low and cook approximately for 30 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated (it should resemble a thick chili). Turn heat to low (as low as you can) and still frequently until ready to serve.
• Place approximately 1/2 cup of black bean ragu on a plate and then place 2 rice cakes on top of the ragu. Put a spoonful of red pepper sofrito on top of each rice cake.
• Next toss the shredded chicken with the mole and place chicken on top of rice cakes. Drizzle a little of the roasted poblano pesto on top of the chicken and garnish with plantain chips. Serve immediately.