Pepian Recipe

Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes  

   Prep Time: 35 minutes

Pepian Ingredients

Pepian Instructions

  1. Preheat a dry skillet over medium heat. Place the Roma tomatoes, tomatillo, onion, and garlic cloves in the skillet. Roast them, turning occasionally, until the skins are blistered and charred in spots, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. Add the dried pasilla, guajillo, and ancho chiles to the same skillet. Toast them for 1-2 minutes, pressing them down with a spatula and turning frequently until fragrant and slightly darkened. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring constantly, until they begin to pop and turn golden, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add the sesame seeds to the skillet and toast, stirring, until golden and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  5. Add the blanched almonds to the skillet and toast, stirring, until lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  6. Toast the torn corn tortilla in the skillet until crisp and browned, about 1-2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  7. In a blender, combine the roasted tomatoes, tomatillo, onion, garlic, toasted chiles, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, toasted tortilla, black peppercorns, allspice berries, ground cinnamon, and whole cloves. Add 1 cup of water and blend until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Add more water as needed to help blend.
  8. Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove excess fat if necessary.
  9. Pour the blended sauce over the browned chicken in the pot. Add enough water to just cover the chicken, stirring to combine.
  10. Add the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
  11. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
  12. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional kosher salt as needed.
  13. Stir in the fresh cilantro leaves and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors before serving.

Estimated Calories: 350, Servings: 6

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Pepian Tips

If you want to make the best Pepian recipe, you gotta treat those ingredients like royalty. Seriously, don't just toss them in the pot like you're making instant noodles. Toast those seeds and spices until your kitchen smells so good your neighbors start "accidentally" dropping by. That's the secret to an authentic, homemade, and delicious Guatemalan dish-plus, it's a great way to make friends or at least get people to stop by and judge your cooking skills.
Let's talk about how to make this tasty classic without losing your mind. The best tip? Don't rush it! Sure, you want a quick and easy recipe, but Pepian is like a good joke-it needs a little time to build up before the punchline hits. Blend those roasted veggies until they're smoother than your best pickup line, and don't forget to strain the sauce for that perfect, velvety finish. Trust me, nobody wants a lumpy Pepian. Unless you're into that, in which case, you do you.
If you're aiming for a simple, yet authentic result, remember: the right ingredients make all the difference. Don't substitute peanuts with peanut butter unless you want your Pepian to taste like a PB&J gone rogue. And for the love of all things tasty, use fresh herbs. Dried cilantro is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. These tips will help you create a quick, easy, and delicious homemade recipe that'll have everyone asking for seconds-and maybe even your secret.

Pepian History

You know, the cultural origins of Pepian are like the best family reunion you never wanted to attend. Imagine the Spanish conquistadors showing up to the Mayan potluck with their own spices, and the Mayans just rolling their eyes like, "Great, now we have to pretend we like cinnamon in our stew." It is a delicious mashup of indigenous and colonial influences, which is a good way of saying, "We could not agree on dinner, so we just threw everything in the pot." Honestly, if you want a quick history lesson, just eat a bowl of Pepian and try to guess which ingredient came from which side of the family. It is like Ancestry dot com, but with more cilantro and less awkward family secrets.
Now, let us talk about how the recipe evolved. You know a dish is old when the best way to find the original recipe is to dig up a pyramid. Over the centuries, Pepian has gone from "whatever is in the garden" to "whatever is in the fridge," which is a good metaphor for adulthood. The modern approach is all about making it easy and fast, because who has time to grind spices by hand when you have a blender and a Netflix queue? But let us be honest, nothing says "I love you" like a grandma who still insists on roasting everything over an open fire, just to prove she is tougher than you. That is the real secret ingredient: guilt.
Regional adaptations of Pepian are wild. You travel ten miles in Guatemala and suddenly someone is adding peanuts, or raisins, or even chocolate. It is like the dish went on a gap year and came back with a new accent and a tattoo. Some regions swear their version is the best, while others just want it to be healthy, so they throw in extra vegetables and call it a day. The great thing is, no matter where you go, everyone claims their grandma's recipe is the most authentic, and if you disagree, you are basically starting a civil war. But hey, at least it is a delicious way to argue.

Pepian Story

You know, the first time I tried making this recipe, I thought I was a culinary genius. I figured, how hard could it be? Just follow the steps, right? Well, apparently, reading instructions is not my best skill. I ended up with something that looked like it had lost a fight with a blender and tasted like regret. My friends said it was "interesting," which is code for "please never make this again." But hey, at least I learned that sometimes, the quick and easy way is just a fast track to disappointment.
The great thing about making mistakes in the kitchen is that you get to eat your failures. It is like a delicious punishment. I once tried to make it healthier by swapping out a few ingredients, thinking I was being clever. Turns out, not every healthy substitute is a good idea. The dish ended up tasting like a science experiment gone wrong. I learned that sometimes, the best way to make something taste good is to just stick to the original plan and not try to outsmart the recipe.
Now, every time I cook, I remember those disasters and laugh. I have become a lot more patient, and I actually read the whole recipe before I start. Who knew that was important? Cooking has become less about being fast and more about enjoying the process. And when it finally turns out great, I feel like I have conquered Mount Everest, except with less cardio and more leftovers.

About Pepian Recipe

There's something truly magical about preparing a homemade Pepian recipe, especially when you're craving the best flavors of Guatemalan cuisine. The first time I decided to try this authentic dish, I was amazed at how easy and quick it was to bring together such a delicious and hearty meal. Gathering the perfect ingredients-juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, aromatic spices, and toasted seeds-set the stage for a tasty adventure in my kitchen. The aroma that filled my home as the sauce simmered was simply irresistible, and I knew I was about to experience something special.
Learning how to make this traditional recipe was a journey in itself. I followed simple steps, toasting the seeds and chilies just right, blending them into a rich, velvety sauce that's the heart of any authentic Pepian. The best part was discovering little tips along the way, like roasting the vegetables for extra depth of flavor or letting the sauce simmer a bit longer for that perfect consistency. Each bite was a celebration of Guatemalan heritage, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to create such a complex, delicious dish at home.
Now, whenever I want to impress friends or family, I turn to this tasty Pepian recipe. It's the perfect meal for sharing, and everyone always asks for my tips on how to make it just right. The combination of simple, fresh ingredients and bold, authentic flavors makes this dish a true standout. If you're searching for the best, most delicious homemade Guatemalan meal, this Pepian recipe is a must-try. It's quick enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for any occasion-proof that the best recipes are often the simplest and most heartfelt.

Pepian Pairings

You know what I love about Guatemalan food? The flavors are like a surprise party for your mouth. You think you know what's coming, and then bam, there's cinnamon in your savory dish. Who invited cinnamon? It's like the best plot twist in a telenovela. And the spices-oh, they're not shy. They show up to the party dressed to impress, and suddenly you're sweating in places you didn't know could sweat. But hey, that's what makes it so delicious. If you want a quick way to wake up your taste buds, just try a Guatemalan recipe. It's like a flavor rollercoaster, and you don't even have to be tall enough to ride.
Let's talk about sides, because every good dish needs a wingman. In Guatemala, you get rice and tortillas, and sometimes both, because carbs are not just a food group, they're a lifestyle. I mean, who decided that one carb was enough? Not Guatemalans, that's for sure. You want something healthy? Sure, just add a little avocado on the side and suddenly it's a balanced meal. That's the best trick-avocado is like the Instagram filter of food. Makes everything look and taste better. And if you're in a hurry, these sides are so easy and fast to whip up, you'll have dinner on the table before your family can ask, "What's for dinner?"
Now, drinks-because you can't just eat, you gotta hydrate, right? The best pairing for a hearty Guatemalan meal is a good glass of horchata or maybe a quick tamarind juice. If you're feeling fancy, throw in a local beer, because nothing says "I'm an adult" like drinking something you can't pronounce. And if you want to keep it healthy, just go for agua fresca. It's basically fruit, water, and sugar, so it's like a salad you can drink. That's my kind of recipe. Delicious, refreshing, and you can make it in less time than it takes to Google "how to pronounce Pepian."