Vorí Vorí (Paraguayan Chicken Soup with Cornmeal and Cheese Dumplings)
In short: Chicken soup with carrot, celery and tomato, thickened by small cornmeal and cheese dumplings that turn the broth a rich golden yellow. It takes about 1 h 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Vorí vorí, also spelled bori bori, is a thick chicken soup studded with small dumplings of cornmeal and Paraguayan cheese. The cornmeal shapes the dumplings and also thickens the broth, which turns a warm yellow. It is a cold-weather lunch served in deep bowls, and there are meatless and beef versions too.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic for 5 minutes until soft. Add the tomatoes, paprika and oregano and cook for 4 minutes.
- Add the chicken, water, salt and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- Add the carrots and celery and simmer for 15 minutes more, until the carrots are tender and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Meanwhile, mix the cornmeal, cheese, butter and salt in a bowl. Add about 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the hot broth a little at a time, mixing until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll the dough into about 36 balls the size of a large grape, around 14 g each.
- Lift the chicken out of the pot, pull the meat from the bones in large pieces and return it to the pot.
- Bring the soup to a steady simmer. Drop in the dumplings one by one, stir gently and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until they float and feel firm. The broth will thicken and turn golden.
- Add hot water if the soup is too thick, and adjust the salt. Ladle into deep bowls and sprinkle with parsley.
Tips
- Mix the dumplings with hot broth, not warm, so the cornmeal swells properly and the balls hold together in the pot.
- For a meatless version, leave out the chicken, use vegetable stock and add cubed pumpkin and a handful of rice.
Questions and answers
Can I make vorí vorí ahead of time?
Yes, but the dumplings soak up broth as they sit. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and thin with hot water or stock when you reheat.
Can I freeze vorí vorí?
Yes, for up to 2 months, though the carrots will soften. Freeze in airtight containers, thaw overnight and reheat gently with a splash of water.
What cheese goes in vorí vorí?
Paraguayan cooks use queso Paraguay, a firm, salty fresh cheese. Outside Paraguay, mix grated low-moisture mozzarella with a little Parmesan or another aged cheese.
How long does it take to make Vorí Vorí (Paraguayan Chicken Soup with Cornmeal and Cheese Dumplings)?
About 1 h 45 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vorí Vorí (Paraguayan Chicken Soup with Cornmeal and Cheese Dumplings)?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
