Now, as an grownup, I’ve scoured by each household group chat and recipe field, and I’ve lastly resurfaced our go-to household chicha recipe that’s equally as hydrating as it’s comforting. A sip of it, and I’m immediately transported again to my grandmother’s no-AC condominium overlooking the attractive mountainous hillsides of the capital metropolis. Uncover find out how to make this scrumptious Venezuelan drink forward—plus, find out how to simply make your personal vegan model with only a few minor modifications.
What’s Venezuelan chicha?
Maybe one of the vital standard Venezuelan drinks (other than Frescolita, IYKYK), chicha is a rice-based drink that’s historically made by soaking rice in water that’s then flavored with a mix of condensed milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. The result’s refreshing, creamy, candy, spicy bliss. (Assume: A no-egg model of eggnog that’s barely looser in consistency and isn’t synonymous with simply the vacation season.)
Chicha is standard year-round in Venezuela, because it pairs completely with nearly any native dish, like cachapas, arepas, or empanadas. And whereas yow will discover chicha nearly anyplace you go in Venezuela (eating places, supermarkets, a good friend’s home, my reusable water bottle…), you may also come throughout chicheros, that are road distributors that promote fresh-made batches of chicha to locals.
Associated Tales
What’s additionally essential to notice about this drink is that very similar to any abuela’s top-secret recipe, every household tends to have a barely totally different variation of find out how to make it. As such, I’m sharing two methods of constructing chicha: My household’s model (as a result of we don’t gatekeep round right here) and chef Jesus Diaz’s, the writer of the Venezuelan-inspired cookbook Cocina Delicioso con Chef Yisus.
To that finish: I’ll disclose that maybe Diaz’s model is the extra conventional method, whereas my household’s model at all times hits the spot for me, a minimum of (however possibly I’m simply biased). Plus, it takes a fraction of the time to arrange it. In fact, you may be the last word decide.
@ajacarlitos ¿Sabes como hacer la chicha tradicional de arroz venezolana? Dime de que está hecha la chicha de tu país. 📌Ingredientes: – 1 taza de arroz – 6 tazas de agua – 400 gr leche condensada – 2 tazas de leche – 1 rama de canela – 1/2 cdta de sal – Canela molida – Mucho hielo #receta #fyp #recetasfaciles #recetasrapidas #ajacarlitos #colombia #usa #mexico #cocina #antojo #viernes #marzo #comida #rapido #facil ♬ TQG – KAROL G & Shakira
Methods to make chicha (my household’s approach)
I’ll reiterate it might not be conventional, however it positive is tasty—and between us, it’s a lot simpler to make. First issues first: You’ll begin by combining six cups of water, 4 tablespoons of cream of rice (it’s gluten-free!), and a pinch of salt in a big pot and punctiliously deliver the combination to a slight boil whereas stirring consistently to forestall it from overflowing. At this level, you may add a cinnamon stick and some cloves for added taste, however it’s elective.
As soon as the combination thickens, enable it to chill fully, and utilizing a cheesecloth, you’ll pressure the combination, reserving the liquid that comes by. Then, in a blender, mix the reserved rice liquid, 4 tablespoons of milk powder (or vegan milk powder), six tablespoons (or to style) of sweetened condensed milk (or vegan sweetened condensed milk), a teaspoon of good-quality vanilla extract, and one tablespoon (or to style) of floor cinnamon, and mix till clean.
And there you have got it: A home made batch of chicha that’s prepared in beneath 20 minutes. BTW, the drink must be served chilly (or over ice) and garnished with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on prime.
Methods to make chicha (the extra conventional method)
As I discussed, though scrumptious, my household’s recipe won’t be essentially the most conventional. As such, I’m additionally together with Diaz’s chicha recipe, which includes cooking the rice from scratch. First, you’ll wish to rinse one cup of rice till the water runs clear. Then, you’ll wish to soak the rice in two cups of water for just a few hours, together with a cinnamon stick. As soon as it’s soaked, you’ll switch the rice to a pot, cowl it with 5 cups of water, and cook dinner the combination till the rice is delicate and creamy (about 40 minutes).
As soon as the rice is cooked, you’ll take away it from the warmth and permit it to chill barely earlier than transferring it to a blender, together with one can of condensed milk, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, and one cup of milk, and mix till clean. To serve, garnish with floor cinnamon or a bit extra condensed milk. It’s merely delicioso.
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