Pollo Guisado

Step 1

Heat oil in a large pot over medium until shimmering. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ginger-garlic puree, tomato paste, ají amarillo paste, and coriander-annatto seasoning; cook, stirring often, until mixture has darkened somewhat and oil has separated, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until some liquid from tomatoes has released and evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add bell pepper and jalapeño; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add culantro; cook, stirring constantly, until softened and wilted, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low, and let come to a simmer; simmer, stirring often, until mixture is thick, glossy, and deep red and oil has risen to the surface, about 1 hour. Stir in salt. Remove from heat. Transfer sofrito to an airtight container, and store in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 6 months.

Step 2

Stir together annatto powder, dried oregano, coriander-annatto seasoning, house spice, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add onion, tomato, and garlic; stir to combine. Add chicken leg quarters, and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate 12 hours.

Step 3

Remove marinated chicken from refrigerator; scrape excess marinade from chicken, reserving marinade in bowl. Heat canola oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add chicken, skin side down, to skillet; cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate; set aside. Do not wipe skillet clean.

Step 4

Reduce heat under skillet to medium. Add reserved marinade and 1 cup sofrito. (Reserve remaining sofrito for another use.) Cook, stirring often, until caramelized and thick, about 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes, carrots, stock, bay leaves, and bouillon. Return chicken to pot, nestling chicken, skin side up, in vegetable mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium; simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick and deep reddish-brown, potatoes and carrots are tender, and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 40 to 45 minutes.

Step 5

Remove and discard bay leaves from chicken mixture. Stir in salt, and serve alongside perfectly steamed rice.