Paprika, or Chilean Color, is the heart and soul of Chilean cuisine, similar to the sofrito for other cultures. Use it to sauté onions at the beginning of any Chilean dish.
Stored in the fridge and omnipresent. Some dishes that start with the melting of the Chilean Color are winter soups like Porotos con Riendas (bean and spaghetti soup), Charquicán (winter squash and potato stew), and so many more. Also, it can be a finishing touch.
My grandmother always used the rendered fat from chicharrones. I use the rendered fat from the bacon. It gets me very close to the original flavor.
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Paprika or Chilean Color
The Chilean sofrito o starter fat for many dishes.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients
Units
- 1 cup, 190 grams shortening or lard
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon merkén (Chilean smoked chili, available at Amazon), optional
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled, optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan or skillet, over medium heat, melt the shortening. If you want, add the garlic and let fry for 1 minute, remove and discard.
- Add the paprika and Merken if using. Lower the heat to low, cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
- Allow to cool in the same pot, it will solidify or transfer to a glass jar, you can strain if desired.
- Keep refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Stove cooked
- Cuisine: Chilean
Keywords: chilean color, chilean sofrito
Hi Pilar,
Thanks so much for sharing these recipes. My family and I live in NW Iowa and have befriended a young man, Juan, from Santiago. He misses his local food. My family and I have made Choclo de Pastel and the Chilean Beef Empanadas. Both were a hit. Juan recently gifted us with a jar of Merquen. What a unique spice! Juan gave us a brand name called Etnia, do you have a favorite brand of Merquen? If so where do you purchase it?
Thanks again we appreciate your efforts to share these recipes.
Seth and Jen De Young
Hi Seth, what a beautiful friendship. I’m sure Juan appreciated your family so much.
Etnia is one of the brands that I like, and you can buy it on Amazon https://amzn.to/3ymWcAz Personally, I like Etnia better than Savory Spice Merken https://www.savoryspiceshop.com/products/chilean-merquen-seasoning
Good luck!