Ejotes con Achiote
Ejotes Con Achiote is a beautiful way to prepare green beans or haricots verts. The achiote brings out the sweetness and astringency of the orange juice and Jalapeño infused into the green beans. Again, here is an example of how chiles are used not because of the flavorless, odorless capsaicin (heat) but for the taste and aroma of the particular chile, in this case Jalapeño. In Yucatán the combination of Achiote with orange juice is used in various dishes.
Achiote is an iconic ingredient in Yucatán and it is derived from the seed of the Annato tree. You can buy Achiote paste at most grocery stores.
The little Achiote seeds are inside pods. As a powder or paste, the annato seeds, achiote, are deeply red and delicious.
This recipe is my adaptation of one by Chef Roberto Santibañez.
Recipe for Ejote Con Achiote
(Adapted from the cookbook: Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage In Recipes)
Ingredients (serves four)
1/4 cup mild extra virgin olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced Jalapeño chiles that have been seeded and deveined
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup juice of a seville orange. This is usually one orange
2 tsp Achiote paste
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 Tbs salt
1 lb green beans or haricots verts
Method
1. Preheat oven to 300o F
2. In an enameled cast-iron casserole (or use a stainless steel dutch oven) heat the olive oil and add the onions and Jalapeños and cook until they are soft.
3. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients except the haricots verts and bring to a simmer, stirring to combine well the Achiote paste.
5. Add the haricots verts, stir, cover and stew in the oven for one to two hours, until the beans are tender.
Serve very hot, with a smile!
Thanks for posting this.. It’s been a pleasure to read 🙂
Hi, Chef Mauricio. I am so glad that you enjoyed the ejotes! Thanks for your comments and Buen Provecho!
I made this recipe yesterday and certaintly is delicious.. the combination of orange juice with the bitter and spicy flavor of achiote make a very refreshing meal.. this recipe is going to my menu for sure.. thks 😀