This rustic, countryside stew might look boring at first glance, but a spoonful of Porotos Granados will transport to the calm Chilean countryside in a heartbeat.
Especially on a cold rainy night, this bean stew will surely warm you up instantly. Plus, if you’re a fan of beans, this is the perfect dish for you!
Although Chilean food isn’t well-known in Malaysia, it’s not just simple; it’s flavourful. And with the right ingredients, you can make this fresh bean stew in the comforts fo your own home.
What exactly is the Porotos Granados?
The Porotos Granados is a hearty Chilean stew made up of dried Cranberry beans, butternut squash, red Kurri, corn kernels, green beans and Chilean herbs, like Paprika and Oregano.
Just like any other vegetable stew, it has a thick and somewhat creamy sauce base. Plus, it still tastes good even after 24 hours of cooking.
Traditionally, the Chileans would prepare this dish during the summer. And while people typically eat it on its own, some might prefer to have it with bread, rice or a bowl of fresh salad on the side.
The History of Porotos Granados
The Porotos Granados is said to be native to the Mapuche people, an indigenous community in Chile. They are known for harvesting and farming beans since the pre-Columbian times.
The Mapuche derived the name, Porotos Granados, from its main ingredient, the Cranberry (cargamanto) beans. They also often referred to the Cranberry beans as Granados, meaning Promegenates. The word Poroto is a Chilean term for beans.
Because the dish was usually only cooked using ripe Cranberry beans, the Mapuche would only cook this dish during the summer. They used ingredients that were native to them when preparing the bean stew. Such as pumpkin squash, tomato, paprika and ground cumin.
In the modern world, there are a few variations to cooking the Porotos Granados. Most people prepare using different kinds of beans like the Pinto beans – common in Mexican cooking. Different parts of the country also make it using Bayo beans, Tortola beans and even coscorran.
It is also a common practice in modern Chile to replace the soup’s vegetable stock with beef or chicken stock to give it more depth in flavour. In some cases, even the corn is blended into the paste to give the stew a creamier texture.
The Health Benefits of Porotos Granados
Because the Porotos Granados only uses vegetable ingredients, it’s an excellent meal for people who are Vegetarian or are avoiding meat. The main ingredients used in this dish are a really good source of protein and healthy fats. Both of which are responsible for the repairing of muscles and the functioning of the heart.
The dish is also a good source of Vitamins and Minerals. Such as green beans and tomato. These ingredients are not only essential in developing a healthy gut, but they also help your body function at its optimal level.
Where to get Chilean cuisine in KL
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many restaurants in KL that serve Chilean food just yet. However, La Boca Latino Bar in Pavilion Mall is an excellent place to start if you’re looking for Central American cuisine. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to get their Porotos Granados.
But if you’re interested in having general Central American cuisine for dinner, why not visit foodpanda and pick one up from a local restaurant instead? Even if you aren’t able to find any Porotos Granados there, there’s always bound to be something for everyone on foodpanda. So, what are you waiting for? Dine with foodpanda today!