Pollo a la Cacerola, Cheater-style

My Mom chose Arroz Relleno as my next recipe and a first step to making that dish required that Pollo a la Cacerola be made.

I had already tackled the original Pollo a la Cacerola, so tonight I went cheater-style.

Ingredients:
Mojo criollo
3lb chicken, cut into 8 pieces
2lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 stick butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1/2 cup cooking wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup baby carrots, chopped


1. Pour mojo criollo over chicken in a deep dish to marinate for at least an hour.
2. Melt a stick of butter in deep pot.
3. Fry chicken in butter until golden on each side.
4. Season with salt and pepper as you flip from one side to the other.
5. Add vinegar, cooking wine and chicken broth.
6. Bring to a boil and add chopped carrots.
7. Lower heat to medium and cook, covered, for 25 minutes.

Hispanic Heritage winner and a visit to Polo Norte

We have a winner! Thanks to those of you that entered my very first contest, courtesy of IMUSA and McCormick. Ecasta dreamt of the following plan when she thought of how she'd use her Mexican Kit. Inspiring!

Last night, I had a chance to visit the new Polo Norte restaurant in Miami Beach. I usually don't do restaurant reviews but since I truly think that Polo Norte is too good to not visit and because we are friends with the owner, here is my non-review. Photos speak for themselves. 

And last but not least...

Name the dishes. There's no contest out of this but I'm sure all Polo Norte fans will enjoy seeing how many they get correct. 

Hispanic Heritage Giveaway, courtesy of IMUSA and McCormick

I am proud to present my first giveaway, right here on La Cocina de Christina. Hispanic Heritage month runs from September 15 through October 15, so it is only fitting that this Cubanita waits until the last possible moment to bring you these wonderful prizes.

As part of the contest, I had a chance to test out some of these fun ingredients and tools. 

For breakfast one Sunday morning, I whipped up the congri (Arroz con Frijoles Negros) package and gave it a little fried egg sombrerito. Que lindo. Y muy rico.  So happy to have tried this package. Instant sofrito smell in la cocina. 

What's in it for you?

This amazing Mexican package, courtesy of IMUSA and McCormick, which includes: IMUSA Cloth Tortilla Warmer, IMUSA Multicolor Salsa Dishes, IMUSA Granite Molcajete, McCormick’s Black Pepper, Cumin, Mexican Oregano, Chili Powder, Cilantro Leaves, Taco Recipe Mix, Enchilada Recipe Mix and Tinga de Pollo Recipe Mix.

What would you make with your new package?  Leave a comment below with your answer in order to enter the contest.  Chances are probably really high since this is my first giveaway. Contest ends tomorrow, October 15, at midnight (EST).

¡Buena suerte!

Disclaimer: The Cuban package IMUSA and McCormick products used in my testing were sent to me in exchange for hosting this contest. The winner of this contest will win a Mexican package, mailed directly to the winner by IMUSA/McCormick. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.