As September commences, Chile brims with the festive spirit of its national holidays. Amidst these celebrations, there’s no dessert quite as beloved as the Mote con Huesillo. Here’s how you can make this traditional Chilean treat:
Mote con Huesillo (Peach and Barley Drink)
Number of servings: 6
Preparation time: 24 hours (including soaking)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mote (hulled wheat)
- 6 dried peaches (dehydrated peaches)
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
Preparation:
- Soaking: The night before you plan to make the drink, place the mote in a large bowl and cover with water. Do the same with the dried peaches in a separate bowl. Allow them to soak for a minimum of 12 hours.
- Cooking the Mote: After the soaking period, drain the mote and rinse under cold water. Transfer the soaked mote to a large pot, adding 4 cups of water, the cinnamon stick, and the cloves. Bring this mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about an hour or until the mote grains are tender but still retain some bite. Once done, drain the mote and rinse with cold water to stop further cooking. Note: If you’re using pre-cooked mote, you can skip the above steps.
- Preparing the Peaches: In a separate pot, add the soaked peaches and cover them with water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for 10 minutes to soften the peaches. Afterward, drain them and remove any seeds.
- Making the Syrup: In yet another pot, combine the sugar and 2 cups of water. Stir this mixture on medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for another 10 minutes. Add the cooked peaches to this syrup and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. This ensures the peaches absorb the syrup’s sweetness.
- Serving: To serve, place some mote into large glasses, then pour over the syrup along with the peaches.
- Chilling: For a more refreshing take on the drink, allow the Mote con Huesillo to cool and rest for at least 2 hours before serving.
Raise a glass and enjoy this Chilean classic, celebrating the vibrant culture and traditions of the country! 🇨🇱🍹
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