Pochero is a traditional tomato-based dish eaten in the Philippines that was created amid Spanish influences in colonial times, according to the food website ifood.tv. Eating the combination of chicken on the bone, chorizo sausage, potatoes, sweet potatoes and chickpeas makes for a hearty country-style stew that is a good end to a hard day of work, while the plantain and pak choi add exotic flair.
Step 1
Heat a pan to a medium temperature and coat with oil. Brown the chicken pieces for about five minutes on each side, or until the skin is brown and a little crispy but not burnt. Place the chicken, chorizo and water in a large pot, cover and bring to the boil.
Step 2
Remove the lid and use a spoon to remove the foam that has formed on the surface then add the onion, salt, peppercorns and stock cube. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Drain the broth and set aside.
Step 3
Boil the plantains in their skins in a separate pan for about 10 minutes or until soft, then remove from the pan, peel them and set aside. Place the potatoes and sweet potatoes into the chicken broth and cook at a high temperature for 10 minutes. Add the cabbage and pak choi and continue cooking for five minutes. When everything is cooked, remove from the heat, drain the water and set aside.
Step 4
Heat a pan to a medium temperature and add 2 tbsp. oil. Saute the garlic, tomato sauce, chicken and chorizo for three minutes, then add the chickpeas and about 1/2 cup of the chicken broth, or enough so that everything is just covered. Cook for 10 more minutes, then serve with the cabbage, pak choi and plantain.
Things You'll Need
- Vegetable oil, for sautéing
- 3 lb. chicken, cut into pieces but left on the bone
- 15 oz. chorizo, cut into chunks
- 5 cups water
- 1 large red onion, quartered
- 2 tsp. salt
- 10 peppercorns
- 1 chicken stock cube
- 2 green plantains, in their skin
- 7 oz. potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3.5 oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- ½ small green cabbage, quartered
- Small head pak choi, also known as bok choy, separated at the root
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 8 oz. can chickpeas, drained
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