Ingredients:

Quote: "It shouts out loud: I really care for you!!!!"

I lived in Columbia, South America, and Sancocho is the ultimate in comfort food there! And like in Italian homes, each family has their own version of lasagna, this is my personalized version of the soup. It is believed that it is so powerful that it can bring the dead back to life. That is why it is served after ever party and makes the perfect Sunday meal!

Cooking Recipe:

7 cloves garlic
3 medium carrots, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 small Spanish onion, chopped
1 habenero chile, chopped
2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 gallon water
3 low-sodium chicken bouillon cubes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper
1 (3 to 4-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 small yucca, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 green plantain, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
5 all-purpose potatoes, halved
2 ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces
4 ears corn, cut in 3 pieces

In a blender, puree the garlic, carrots, peppers, onion, chile, and 1 cup cilantro.

In a large pot, combine the puree with the water (if your tap water is hard, that is with a lot of minerals, you may want to use bottled water to maintain consistency and taste) , bouillon cubes, and cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer (means to cook slowly) for 30 minutes.

Add the chicken and simmer for another 20 minutes.

Add the yucca and green plantain and simmer (cook slowly) for 10 minutes more. Add the potatoes (be sure to wash the dirt off the skin well before using) , ripe plantain, and corn and simmer for another 15 minutes.

In a blender, combine the remaining 1 cup cilantro and a little of the stew broth and puree. Stir the puree into the soup, season with salt and pepper, and serve.