Grandma's Ciulama – A recipe full of warm memories and comforting aromas
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
At the heart of every family are stories told around the table, and ciulama is one of those recipes that connects us to our grandparents and the moments spent together. This recipe is not just a simple dish, but a tradition filled with flavor and warmth, bringing together local ingredients to create a creamy and comforting meal.
Your ingredients for ciulama:
- 500g chicken meat (preferably thighs or breast)
- 1 tablespoon of flour
- 1 small cup of sour cream (about 200ml)
- 1 small cup of chicken broth (or water, but broth adds a richer flavor)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped
Preparing ciulama – Step by Step
1. Preparing the meat: Start by cutting the chicken into medium-sized cubes. This will help it cook evenly and quickly. If using meat with bones, it's fine, as the bones add extra flavor to the broth.
2. Boiling the meat: In a large pot, place the chicken along with enough water (or broth) to cover it. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until the meat is well cooked and tender.
3. Preparing the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream with the flour until you obtain a smooth mixture. This mix is the secret to your creamy sauce. Gradually add a few tablespoons of hot broth to the sour cream and flour mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
4. Combining the ingredients: When the meat is cooked, remove it from the pot and keep the broth. In the same pot, pour in the sour cream and flour mixture. Mix well, then gradually add the chicken broth, stirring continuously to achieve a creamy sauce. Bring everything to a boil.
5. Finishing the dish: Add the chicken back into the creamy sauce, season with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer on low heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Serving: Take a moment to enjoy the wonderful aroma that has filled the kitchen. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top and serve ciulama with a generous portion of warm polenta or mashed potatoes. You can add a side of roasted bell peppers or fresh sweet peppers, and in winter, pickles for a pleasant contrast.
Grandma's tip: If you want an even richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the sour cream sauce for extra flavor. Also, if you enjoy stronger flavors, you can add a few chopped garlic cloves or even a bunch of fresh thyme during the meat boiling.
Benefits of ciulama: This recipe is an excellent source of protein due to the chicken, and the sour cream provides a dose of calcium necessary for bone health. Additionally, parsley is not just decorative but also packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of meat? Yes, you can use turkey or even pork, but the taste will be different.
2. How can I make ciulama easier to digest? Use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt to reduce the fat content.
3. What can I do with leftovers? You can use ciulama as a filling for pies or sandwiches.
4. What can ciulama be paired with? Polenta is the most popular accompaniment, but rice or even fresh bread can also be excellent choices.
Possible variations: If you want to experiment, add some vegetables, such as carrots or onions, to the pot with the meat to enrich the flavors even more. Another option is to add mushrooms for an enhanced umami taste.
Ciulama like grandma's is definitely a dish that will delight your taste buds and remind you of family moments. So, put on your apron, prepare your ingredients, and enjoy this delicious recipe that will make you feel at home!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
At the heart of every family are stories told around the table, and ciulama is one of those recipes that connects us to our grandparents and the moments spent together. This recipe is not just a simple dish, but a tradition filled with flavor and warmth, bringing together local ingredients to create a creamy and comforting meal.
Your ingredients for ciulama:
- 500g chicken meat (preferably thighs or breast)
- 1 tablespoon of flour
- 1 small cup of sour cream (about 200ml)
- 1 small cup of chicken broth (or water, but broth adds a richer flavor)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped
Preparing ciulama – Step by Step
1. Preparing the meat: Start by cutting the chicken into medium-sized cubes. This will help it cook evenly and quickly. If using meat with bones, it's fine, as the bones add extra flavor to the broth.
2. Boiling the meat: In a large pot, place the chicken along with enough water (or broth) to cover it. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until the meat is well cooked and tender.
3. Preparing the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream with the flour until you obtain a smooth mixture. This mix is the secret to your creamy sauce. Gradually add a few tablespoons of hot broth to the sour cream and flour mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
4. Combining the ingredients: When the meat is cooked, remove it from the pot and keep the broth. In the same pot, pour in the sour cream and flour mixture. Mix well, then gradually add the chicken broth, stirring continuously to achieve a creamy sauce. Bring everything to a boil.
5. Finishing the dish: Add the chicken back into the creamy sauce, season with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer on low heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Serving: Take a moment to enjoy the wonderful aroma that has filled the kitchen. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top and serve ciulama with a generous portion of warm polenta or mashed potatoes. You can add a side of roasted bell peppers or fresh sweet peppers, and in winter, pickles for a pleasant contrast.
Grandma's tip: If you want an even richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the sour cream sauce for extra flavor. Also, if you enjoy stronger flavors, you can add a few chopped garlic cloves or even a bunch of fresh thyme during the meat boiling.
Benefits of ciulama: This recipe is an excellent source of protein due to the chicken, and the sour cream provides a dose of calcium necessary for bone health. Additionally, parsley is not just decorative but also packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of meat? Yes, you can use turkey or even pork, but the taste will be different.
2. How can I make ciulama easier to digest? Use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt to reduce the fat content.
3. What can I do with leftovers? You can use ciulama as a filling for pies or sandwiches.
4. What can ciulama be paired with? Polenta is the most popular accompaniment, but rice or even fresh bread can also be excellent choices.
Possible variations: If you want to experiment, add some vegetables, such as carrots or onions, to the pot with the meat to enrich the flavors even more. Another option is to add mushrooms for an enhanced umami taste.
Ciulama like grandma's is definitely a dish that will delight your taste buds and remind you of family moments. So, put on your apron, prepare your ingredients, and enjoy this delicious recipe that will make you feel at home!
Ingredients
chicken meat, 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 cup of chicken broth, salt, pepper, fresh parsley