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Chipa Guasu con Cocido

The Quirky Foodster Team

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6
Servings

Ingredients

  • Fresh or frozen corn kernels — 600 g (1.3 lb)
  • Eggs — 3
  • Grated cheese — 100 g (3.5 oz)
  • Milk — 60 ml (2 fl oz)
  • Butter, melted — 2 tbsp
  • Onion, finely chopped — 1
  • Salt — to taste
  • Yerba mate, for cocido — 3 tbsp
  • Water, for cocido — 960 ml (32 fl oz)
  • Sugar, to taste, for cocido

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Blend the corn kernels with the eggs, milk and melted butter until fairly smooth but still slightly textured.
  3. Stir in the grated cheese, chopped onion and salt.
  4. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake for 40–45 minutes until set and golden on top.
  5. Meanwhile, toast the yerba mate in a dry saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, then add the water and simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Strain the cocido into cups and sweeten to taste.
  7. Serve the chipa guasu warm alongside the hot cocido.

Introduction: A moist, savoury corn casserole served alongside cocido, a smoky roasted yerba mate tea, a hearty Paraguayan breakfast.

Cultural Background: Chipa guasu, a softer corn cake distinct from Paraguay's famous chipa bread, is a beloved breakfast and snack, traditionally paired with cocido, a warming toasted mate drink that anchors the Paraguayan morning.

Tips: Blend the corn only until fairly smooth, leaving a little texture for the traditional chipa guasu bite. Toasting the yerba mate before simmering gives cocido its characteristic smoky flavour.

Variations: Add a little chopped bell pepper to the corn mixture for extra flavour. Serve cocido with milk instead of water for a creamier drink, sometimes called cocido con leche.

Storage: Refrigerate chipa guasu in an airtight container for up to 3 days; cocido is best made fresh.

Reheating: Reheat chipa guasu in an oven at 160°C (325°F) for 10–15 minutes.

FAQs:

Q: What is cocido?

A: A toasted yerba mate tea, simmered rather than steeped, giving it a distinctive smoky flavour, traditionally enjoyed with breakfast in Paraguay.

Q: How is chipa guasu different from regular chipa?

A: Chipa guasu is a soft, moist corn casserole, while regular chipa is a firmer, cheese-forward bread made with cassava starch.