Mixiotes are a traditional Mexican dish of steamed meat, typically chicken, wrapped in banana leaves. The leaves give the mixiotes a subtle flavour and help to keep the meat moist during cooking. Serve mixiotes with rice, beans, and salsa for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 10-12 banana leaves, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
- 1 cup chicken stock
Method
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to coat the chicken with the spices.
Lay out two banana leaves, overlapping them slightly. Place a quarter of the chicken mixture in the center of the leaves. Fold up the leaves to enclose the chicken, then tie with string or secure with toothpicks. Repeat with the remaining chicken and banana leaves.
Place the mixiotes in a steamer or on a rack over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for 1-1/2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through. Add the chicken stock to the pot during cooking to keep the mixiotes moist.
Remove the mixiotes from the steamer and let cool for a few minutes before unwrapping. Serve with rice, beans, and salsa.
Potential changes & improvements
You can use any type of meat you like in mixiotes, such as pork or beef. If you don’t have banana leaves, you can wrap the mixiotes in aluminium foil or parchment paper. The mixiotes can also be grilled or baked in the oven.
What other food it works well with
Mixiotes go well with rice, beans, and salsa. You can also serve them with tortillas, guacamole, and sour cream.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake is not soaking the banana leaves in hot water before using them. This step helps to soften the leaves and make them more pliable. Be sure to tie the mixiotes securely so that the filling doesn’t leak out during cooking.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 mixiote
Calories: 400
Fat: 22 g
Saturated fat: 5 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg
Sodium: 460 mg
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 3 g
Protein: 35 g
Allergens
Chicken, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, olive oil, salt, pepper, banana leaves, chicken stock