Dispatches from Chile: Pastel de Choclo

A popular dish in central Chile is pastel de choclo. Chileans love meat; corn is grown in Kansas size quantities here. For many in this valley, the corn, basil, onions, and eggs are produced in fields near the house.

Let's name this recipe Pastel de Choclo Ceriani, since it was given to my hostess Susaan Straus by her husband Ricardo Ceriani’s sisters.

The basil, corn, and onions (not pictured), are grown on the farm here in Nogales about 60 miles north of Santiago.

Brown in some oil:
2 large sweet onions diced large
2 raw chicken breasts cut into pieces about 1"x 1"
1/2 - 1 lb of beef (hamburger or sliced steak)

Simmer together

When these are almost cooked,

add 1/2 cup of raisins,
a medium can of black olives - pitted or not
Salt and pepper and 1/2 t cumin (optional)


2 hard cooked eggs, quartered.

Fill the food processor full to overflowing with 3-4 packages of frozen corn  (if you don't shuck your own. Ricardo picked and shucked the corn a few hours before we ate the pastel de choclo.)

add 20+ leaves of fresh basil (basil at right in Susaan's garden. Note the tomatoes in background, not ripe yet due to cool weather right after planting.)

Process until semi-liquid with chunks - blend in a tablespoon of olive oil.

Spoon the meat mixture into the bottom of a paila (stone bowl).  Top with corn/basil mix.

Cook in a 350 oven until the corn is browned - about 30-40 minutes.

Voila! Pastel de Choclo Ceriani

Photos by Paul Tamburello

Comments

[Jeff Kelly Lowenstein]

From big box stores to Pastel doe Choclo Ceriani! I love how the journey is unfolding.

Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Gerard]

PT,
Tell Susan and Ricardo I just printed the recipe and its a keeper.
Gerard

[Carolyn Liesy]

Susaan made this for us when we were there. Now, with the recipe I will try it here. It was fun to pick the corn, etc. and it is a great dish. Very Chilean. Thanks! Carolyn

[pt]

Well, Jeff, Im sure the two weeks you spent traveling in Israel with your family supplied you with at least ONE recipe for home consumption!

[Myke]

Hey Paul - you World Traveler! Hope you're having a great time in Chile. Say hi to Susaan and her husband for me - and Happy New Year to you all!!

Just got back from the 2010 World Championships of Country Dancing in Nashville - our 4th World Championship competition together. Zoe danced great, finished 5th in her division which was her goal. The top 5 in each division get awards on the podium and their picture taken as a group. Last year Zoe finished 6th and cried all New Year's Eve. The competition gives all 5 of the top finishers a framed copy of the picture on the podium so we have that to hang up on the wall as well as her trophy for finishing 5th. Zoe and I danced together also in the Novice Hustle division, and we were the only couple in the division. So we either finished first or last depending on your point of view. Well, our point of view is that we finished first, so from now on you have to start all you conversations with Zoe and me as World Champions!

Hope you have a great time in Chile - and hope to see you soon when you return. You are returning some time aren't you?

[Mishy]

Pastel de Choclo is one of my favorite dishes in the world. Let's make some when you get home! Too bad about Pinera's win at the polls. Where are you now?