Cuban Mojo Recipes

CUBAN MOJO CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, combine the orange zest, lime zest , orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic cloves, jalapeno (if using), oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
• Place the chicken into the marinade , cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. You can also do this in a large zip-top bag, but be sure to place the bag into a large bowl to safeguard against drips.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on a large roasting pan. If you like, tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body to help prevent them from darkening too much.
• Roast in the oven for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 F on a meat thermometer. If the breast starts to get too dark while roasting, cover loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil.
• Remove from the oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for about 10 minutes before carving.
• Garnish with orange and lime slices (if using) and serve with rice and black beans.

CUBAN MOJO

Steps:

• In a medium or large saucepan heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add garlic and cook until JUST light brown.
• Turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir in the sour orange juice, water, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper.
• Heat mixture on high until a full, rolling boil is reached.
• Boil for 2 minutes stirring a few times.
• Remove from heat and allow mixture to come to room temperature.
• Stir in cilantro.
• Pour into a jar or shaker bottle with a tight fitting lid.
• Shake well before using.
• If sour oranges are not available use 1/2 cup fresh lime juice plus 3 tablespoons fresh navel orange juice, or other tart orange.

CUBAN MOJO SAUCE

Steps:

• Blend the garlic, zest, juice, cumin and salt in a blender until the garlic is finely chopped.
• With the machine running, slowly add the oil in a thin stream until emulsified.
• Transfer to a small bowl and season to taste with pepper.
• Stir in the cilantro.
• The mojo can be made up to four days ahead, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

TRADITIONAL CUBAN RECIPE: CUBAN MOJO (CUBAN MARINADE)

Steps:

• Mash garlic, salt and peppercorns, using a mortar and pestle or use food processor.
• Stir in juice.
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or longer at room temperature.
• *If making it without the oil - stop at this point and this makes a perfect marinade for seasoning, chicken, fish, pork &/or beef.
• Continue with preparing the mojo with oil - after you have stirred in juice add onion & oregano.
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or longer at room temperature.
• In a saucepan heat olive oil to medium hot & then remove from heat.
• Whisk oil in garlic-juice mixture, until well blended.
• Stores for at least a week in the refrigerator.