Belizean White Relleno Recipe

Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the heart of Belizean cuisine with a classic dish that’s bound to captivate your taste buds: the Belizean White Relleno. This recipe combines rich flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for family gatherings or special occasions. Relleno Blanco or White Relleno is a favorite Belizean dish around holidays and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Relleno Blanco is related to the typical Relleno (single word, implying “black” or “negro”). They both share similar spice flavor profiles but they differ in that White Relleno does not call for the use of black recado (recado negro). Instead, this recipe opts for uncooked masa as the thickener. Of course, another obvious difference is the inclusion of capers and olives, which are not included in Relleno Negro. Both dishes are popular in Belize and are enjoyed with freshly made corn tortillas and a coke.

Ingredients:

• 1 Whole Chicken (about 3.5 to 4 lbs or 1.6 to 1.8 kg)
• 2 lbs (about 907 grams) Ground Pork
• 1 dozen Eggs
• 1 to 6 oz (28 to 170 grams) Capers
• 1 to 6 oz (28 to 170 grams) Whole Olives
• 1/2 lb (about 227 grams) Raisins
• 1/4 lb (about 113 grams) Chopped Almonds
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) Sherry
• Flour or Masa

Seasonings:

• 1 tsp (about 2 grams) Whole Black Pepper
• 1/2 stick Cinnamon
• 1/2 small White Onion
• 1/2 tsp (about 1 gram) Cumin Seeds
• 3 Whole Cloves
• 3 plugs of Garlic

How to make Belizean White Relleno Recipe

1. Prepare the Eggs: Hard boil 9 eggs. Remove the yolks and chop the egg whites.
2. Cook the Pork: Combine the raw pork and the egg whites in a frying pan, and cook the ground pork for about 30 minutes until fully browned.
3. Season the Mixture: Grind the seasonings using a food processor (Amazon) or spice grinder. Mix half of the seasoning into the pork and egg white mixture. Allow the mixture to cool.
4. Add the Fillings: To the cooled mixture, add chopped capers, olives, raisins, almonds, and 3 raw eggs. Mix well.
5. Stuff the Chicken: Stuff the chicken with the mixture, alternating with 3 half egg yolks after each scoop of stuffing. Ensure the chicken cavity is filled for beautiful slices upon serving.
6. Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, mix the remaining spice mix with about 2 quarts of water. Add the chicken and giblets. Add water just enough to cover the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is tender, about 45 minutes.
7. Brown the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the broth, placing it on a cookie sheet or oven-safe pan. Brown the chicken under a broiler or at high heat (around 400°F) for presentation and additional flavor.
8. Thicken the Broth: Add sherry to the chicken broth. Thicken with either 1 cup of flour mixed with 1 pint of cold water or 3 oz of masa dissolved in 1 cup of water. Cook and stir until smooth, ensuring there are no flour or masa clumps. Masa is preferred for its flavor and consistency.

Notes: this recipe is a traditional recipe, and like most of our recipes there are often differences in the recipes based on the cook. This recipe uses chicken, while some would cook a turkey or duck. This version doesn’t call for red recado but some do include it for flavor and color. Some recipes also include a green sweet pepper (chopped) and a chopped tomato in the stuffing mix as well as some of the raisins, cappers, and olives.

Estimated Prep Time:

• Egg preparation: 10 minutes for boiling and chopping.
• Pork frying: 30 minutes.
• Seasoning grind and mix: 10 minutes.
• Stuffing preparation and chicken stuffing: 20 minutes.
• Total Estimated Prep Time: 70 minutes.

Estimated Cook Time:

• Chicken simmering: 45 minutes.
• Chicken browning: 10 minutes.
• Broth thickening: 15 minutes.
• Total Estimated Cook Time: 70 minutes.

Estimated Nutritional Info for Belizean White Rellon Recipe:

• Protein: About 40-45 grams
• Fat: Around 40-45 grams
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 20-25 grams
• Fiber: About 2-3 grams

The Belizean White Relleno is more than just a meal; it celebrates flavors and traditions. Whether for a festive occasion or a cozy family dinner, this dish promises to deliver warmth and joy to your table. Embrace the culinary heritage of Belize and let this exquisite recipe create memorable moments for you and your loved ones.

Enjoy your culinary adventure with Belizean White Relleno!