True Dominican Sancocho (Meat and Vegetable Stew)

Ingredients and Weight:

• 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 pound beef short ribs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 pound pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges, for serving

Preparation Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Time:

2 hours

Difficulty Level:

3 (moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, brown the chicken thighs, sausage, beef short ribs, and pork shoulder on all sides. Remove the meats from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the onion, green peppers, red peppers, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add the browned meats and cilantro to the pot and simmer for an additional hour, or until the meats are tender.
5. Serve hot, garnished with lime wedges.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 450 per serving
• Protein: 30 grams per serving
• Fat: 15 grams per serving
• Carbohydrates: 35 grams per serving

Dish Characteristics:

• A hearty and flavorful stew with a rich chicken flavor.
• Contains a variety of meats and vegetables for a balanced meal.
• Can be customized with different meats or vegetables based on preference.

User Comments:

• "This is the best Dominican sancocho I've had outside of Santo Domingo!"
• "The chicken is so tender and the flavors are amazing."
• "I love that this stew is so versatile. I can add or remove ingredients to make it my own."
• "This is a great dish for a party or a family gathering."
• "I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves Dominican food or hearty stews."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use a large pot for this recipe, as it makes a lot of stew.
• If you can't find smoked sausage, you can substitute another type of sausage, such as chorizo or kielbasa.
• Add more or less water to the stew as needed to reach the desired consistency.
• Serve with rice, beans, or crusty bread for a complete meal.