Fricasé Paceño (Bolivian Pork and Hominy Stew from La Paz)
In short: A chili-tinted stew of pork on the bone with white hominy and potatoes in a thick golden broth, served steaming hot in deep bowls. It takes about 2 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Fricasé is the stew La Paz eats on cold mornings and weekend lunches, ladled into deep bowls while the steam still rises. Pork ribs simmer with garlic, cumin and yellow chili until the broth turns golden and rich, then white hominy and potatoes finish in the pot. The meat falls off the bone, and the chili is deep rather than sharp. It is simple food that rewards a long simmer.
Instructions
- Season the pork with 1 teaspoon of the salt, the pepper and half of the garlic. Leave at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Put the pork, water and halved onion in a large pot and bring to a boil. Skim off the foam, then cover and simmer gently for 1 hour.
- Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook the remaining garlic with the chili pastes, cumin and oregano for 2 to 3 minutes, until dark and fragrant, then stir into the pot.
- Add the potatoes and the remaining teaspoon of salt and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the hominy and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes more, until the pork is falling off the bone and the broth is lightly thickened and golden-orange.
- Taste and adjust the salt. Serve hot in deep bowls, sprinkled with the parsley.
Tips
- Canned or jarred hominy saves hours. If you use dried hominy, soak it overnight and boil it for 2 to 3 hours until the kernels burst, then add it with the potatoes.
- Skim the fat from the top before serving if you want a lighter broth. Fricasé is even better the next day, after the flavors have blended.
Questions and answers
What is fricasé paceño?
It is a pork and hominy stew from La Paz, seasoned with yellow chili, garlic and cumin. It is eaten as a filling breakfast or lunch, especially in cold weather.
What is mote?
Mote is large-kernel white corn that has been boiled and hulled, called hominy in English. It is chewy and mild, and soaks up the broth.
Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes, but the dish is traditionally made with pork. Use bone-in chicken thighs and cut the first simmer to 30 minutes.
How long does it take to make Fricasé Paceño (Bolivian Pork and Hominy Stew from La Paz)?
About 2 h 15 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fricasé Paceño (Bolivian Pork and Hominy Stew from La Paz)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
