Guatemalan Kak'ik with Spiced Turkey Broth

Name: Guatemalan Kak'ik with Spiced Turkey Broth
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 whole turkey leg; 8 cups water; 1 large onion; 2 garlic cloves; 1 bay leaf; 1 tablespoon achiote paste; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cloves; 2 large tomatoes; 2 green bell peppers; 3 small red potatoes; 2 carrots; 1 stalk of celery; Fresh cilantro; Lime wedges

A Traditional Guatemalan Delicacy

Kak'ik is a vibrant, rich turkey soup celebrated in Guatemalan cuisine, known for its deep, complex flavors and unique blend of spices.

3 h
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

Turkey Broth

1 whole turkey leg

about 1.5 lbs

8 cups water

1 large onion

quartered

2 garlic cloves

smashed

1 bay leaf

Spice Mix

1 tablespoon achiote paste

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cloves

Vegetable Mix

2 large tomatoes

quartered

2 green bell peppers

chopped

3 small red potatoes

cubed

2 carrots

sliced

1 stalk of celery

chopped

For Garnishing

Fresh cilantro

chopped

Lime wedges

Preparation

Marinating the Turkey

Season

Rub the turkey leg with salt and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Combine Ingredients

In a large pot, combine the turkey leg, water, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

Simmer

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.

Ensure turkey is fully cooked to avoid food safety issues.

Preparing the Spice Mix

Toast Seeds

In a dry skillet, toast the cumin seeds until fragrant.

Toasting spices enhances their flavor and aroma.

Grind Spices

Grind all spices together into a fine powder.

Form Paste

Mix the ground spices with achiote paste to form a spice paste.

Cooking Process

Broth Preparation

Strain the cooked broth and discard solids.

Spice Infusion

Add the spice paste to the broth and simmer for 20 minutes.

Simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes.

Vegetable Cooking

Add the potatoes, carrots, and celery to the broth and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes.

Plating & Serving