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Black bowl filled with achiote with annato seeds on the background.

Achiote Paste Substitute

Natalia-Flavorful Home
If you love Latin American Cuisine, you might be looking for an Achiote paste substitute that will infuse your dishes with rich color and captivating taste. Here's a recipe for homemade achiote paste.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course spice blend
Cuisine Latin American-Inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp annatto seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp vinegar  (such as white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp orange juice  (freshly squeezed would work the best)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat and add the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, dried oregano, and coriander seeds. Toast the spices for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let them cool.
  • Once cooled, transfer the toasted spices to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, and grind them into a fine powder.
  • Combine. In a small bowl, combine the ground spices with minced garlic, vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, and salt. Mix well to form a paste-like consistency. Adjust the salt to your taste preferences.
  • Adjust consistency. If the paste is too thick, you can add a little more oil or citrus juice to achieve the desired consistency. If it's too thin, you can add a small amount of ground annatto seeds to thicken it.
  • Transfer the achiote paste to a jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to develop over time.

Notes

Remember to adjust the quantity of the paste based on your taste preferences and the specific dish you're preparing.
Enjoy the vibrant flavors it adds to your Latin American and Caribbean-inspired cuisine!

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 2333mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 118IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg
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