¡Fiesta en Peru! Anticuchos...

¡Tenemos Fiesta en Peru!  Anticuchos....

Anticuchos are a popular party and street food thoughout Latin America, especially in Peru and Ecuador. The most traditional Peruvian anticuchos are made with beef heart, but they can also be made with chicken or steak.  Anticuchos are seasoned with garlic, vinegar, cumin, and aji panca, a mild red chile pepper with a smoky flavor common in Peruvian cooking. You can jarred Aji Panca Paste  here or in specialty stores or Latin food markets.  Anticuchos are best if they are marinated overnight.

Ingredients:

• 12 cloves of garlic  (you can add more of less of these if you like)
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/4 cup mild chile pepper paste (Aji Panca Paste  click here to buy, if available)
• 1/2 cup vinegar, divided
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• 2-3 pounds steak (sirloin, tenderloin) (cut into cubes about 2 inches in size)  (You can also use this same marinade on chicken)
• Wooden skewers

Preparation:

1. Place beef cubes in a nonreactive bowl or dish.
2. Mash the garlic and add a little water to make a paste.  (you can also use store bought garlic paste but be forewarned that the taste will be slightly different.)
3. Prepare the marinade: in a bowl, mix the crushed garlic, 1/4 cup of the vinegar, 1/4 cup aji panca paste, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper.
4. Pour the marinade over the beef and mix well. Marinade beef overnight in the refrigerator. If you are pressed for time, marinade beef for at least 1 hour at room temperature.  (I usually prepare in advance and let marinade in a baggie.  You can also freeze to be used at a later date)
5. Prepare the grill. Place the beef onto the skewers (about 4 -6 pieces of beef on each skewer).
6. Make a basting mixture of 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and a pinch of cumin.
7. Grill the skewers for about 5 minutes on each side, or to desired doneness. Baste beef several times during cooking.
8. Serve with rice, corn on the cob with queso blanco or simply as an appetizer on the skewers.

Makes about 12 skewers.

Happy cooking y ¡buen provecho!