Lunch
★★★★★ (24 reviews)
Nicaraguan Indio Viejo Recipe
A thick, savory stew made from shredded beef, maize dough, vegetables, and yerbabuena (mint).
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
1 hour
Servings
6
About this Recipe
Indio Viejo (Old Indian) is a pre-Columbian stew that represents the deep indigenous roots of Nicaraguan cuisine. It is a thick, hearty porridge-like dish made from maize dough (masa) and shredded meat, flavored with the distinct aroma of yerbabuena (mint) and sour orange. The use of achiote gives it a characteristic rich orange-red color.
The name 'Indio Viejo' is the subject of various legends, one of which suggests it was a clever lie told by an indigenous leader to Spanish conquistadors to hide the fact that they were feasting on meat, claiming it was just 'an old Indian' who had died. Regardless of the myth, the dish remains a comfort food staple, showcasing the versatility of corn as a thickener and base for savory meals.
The name 'Indio Viejo' is the subject of various legends, one of which suggests it was a clever lie told by an indigenous leader to Spanish conquistadors to hide the fact that they were feasting on meat, claiming it was just 'an old Indian' who had died. Regardless of the myth, the dish remains a comfort food staple, showcasing the versatility of corn as a thickener and base for savory meals.
1 Ingredients
- 1 lb beef flank steak
- 2 cups corn masa (dough)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 bunch yerbabuena (mint)
- Sour orange juice
- Achiote
2 Instructions
1
Cook Meat
Boil the beef with garlic and onion. Shred the meat and save the broth.
2
Prepare Sauce
Sauté onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Add the shredded meat.
3
Thicken
Dissolve masa in the beef broth and add to the pan. Stir until thickened. Add mint and sour orange juice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
400 kcal
Protein
25g
Carbs
30g
Fat
15g
Pairs Well With
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