Cook the Book: Achiote-Marinated Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaves

Name: Cook the Book: Achiote-Marinated Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaves
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 59 milliliters annatto seeds; 177 milliliters apple cider vinegar; 3 larges banana leaves; 1 Tbsp black pepper; 1 head garlic, cloves separated and peeled; 2 Tbsps ground cumin; 177 milliliters orange juice; 59 milliliters dried oregano; 4 plum tomatoes, cored and sliced; 1 red onion, sliced; 2 Tbsps salt; 8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 3 pounds total)

Cook the Book: Achiote-Marinated Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaves is a gluten free, dairy free, and primal main course. One serving contains 172 calories, 25g of protein, and 3g of fat. This recipe serves 8. Head to the store and pick up salt, chicken breasts, oregano, and a few other things to make it today. To use up the ground cumin you could follow this main course with the Moroccan Chocolate Mousse as a dessert. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes about 1 hour.

Instructions

Place the annatto seeds in a blender and turn on high until the seeds are ground. It’s all right if the powder is not evenly ground—just try to get it as fine as you can.

Ingredients you will need

Annatto Seeds

Seeds

Equipment you will use

Blender

Place the remaining marinade ingredients in the blender and puree until all the ingredients are well blended into a paste.

Ingredients you will need

Marinade

Equipment you will use

Blender

Remove the marinade from the blender jar and set aside.

Ingredients you will need

Marinade

Equipment you will use

Blender

Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag (you may need to use two) and pour in the marinade. Make sure to coat the chicken well with the marinade. Press out as much air as possible from the bag, seal it, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, or overnight.

Ingredients you will need

Chicken Breast

Marinade

Whole Chicken

Equipment you will use

Ziploc Bags

Prepare the banana leaf packets: Use kitchen scissors to cut eight pieces of banana leaves, each approximately 12 inches by 12 inches. Reserve any extra scraps of leaves to make ties.

Ingredients you will need

Banana Leaves

Equipment you will use

Kitchen Scissors

Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Chicken

Lay a banana leaf square in front of you, making sure the shiny side is facing up.

Ingredients you will need

Banana Leaves

Place the chicken breast, with marinade still clinging to it, in the center of the leaf and top it with 3 or 4 slices of tomato and several onion slices.

Ingredients you will need

Chicken Breast

Marinade

Tomato

Onion

Fold one side of the leaf over the chicken. Overlap the opposite side over the leaf. Fold the two ends in toward the center and place the package on a baking sheet seam side down. Tear a long strip from an extra piece of banana leaf and tie it around the chicken-stuffed package to secure it. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Ingredients you will need

Banana Leaves

Whole Chicken

Equipment you will use

Baking Sheet

Grill the packets

Equipment you will use

Grill

Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing.

Equipment you will use

Grill

Place the banana leaf packets on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 25 minutes. The leaves will turn dark brown and have a burnt appearance. They will also begin to give off a smoky scent.

Ingredients you will need

Banana Leaves

Equipment you will use

Grill

Serve: Pile the banana leaf packets on a serving platter and allow your guests to serve themselves and unwrap their packages.

Ingredients you will need

Banana Leaves