Description
Porotos Granados is a traditional Chilean comfort dish featuring creamy cranberry beans, fresh corn, and tender squash simmered together with fragrant basil, garlic, and onion. This hearty vegetarian stew is easy to prepare and full of wholesome flavors, perfect for a cozy meal any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Beans
- 2 cups Cranberry Beans (or pinto/borlotti beans)
- 2 cups Fresh Corn (Choclo) (frozen corn can be used)
- 1 medium Squash (e.g., Zucchini), diced
- 1 medium Onion (yellow or white), diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 bunch Basil (fresh or dried), chopped
Liquids and Oils
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth or Water (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice or Vinegar (optional, for brightness before serving)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook the squash: Stir in the diced squash and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing it to soften slightly and absorb the aromatic flavors.
- Add beans and corn: Gently incorporate the cranberry beans and fresh corn into the pot, stirring well to combine with the vegetables.
- Add liquid and bring to boil: Pour in the vegetable broth or water. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the stew: Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and chopped fresh basil. Let the stew simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beans and squash are tender and the stew thickens to your desired consistency.
- Season and finish: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning if necessary. For an added brightness, stir in a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar just before serving.
Notes
- Using fresh corn (Choclo) is traditional, but frozen or canned corn can be substituted if fresh is unavailable.
- You can substitute cranberry beans with pinto or borlotti beans if needed.
- Fresh basil imparts a vibrant flavor, but dried basil works as a good alternative.
- Keep an eye on the stew while simmering, and add more broth or water if it becomes too thick.
- For a richer flavor, you can sauté the vegetables a bit longer until caramelized before adding liquids.
- This dish is naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan using vegetable broth.
