Keshi Yena Aruba
Transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of Aruba with Keshi Yena, a beloved Caribbean comfort dish that’s as unique as it is flavorful. This traditional stuffed cheese casserole features a rich filling of tender shredded chicken, vibrant bell peppers, briny green olives, sweet raisins, and tangy capers, all seasoned with tomato paste, spices, and a hint of hot sauce for a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Encased in a melty Edam cheese shell or layered with slices of cheese, this dish bakes to golden perfection, delivering a decadent, gooey centerpiece for your next meal. With its blend of bold flavors and textures, Keshi Yena pairs beautifully with rice, crusty bread, or a crisp green salad, making it ideal for family dinners or festive gatherings. This Aruban classic is a surefire way to impress your guests and bring a taste of the tropics to your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Edam cheese (hollowed or sliced, about 1-inch thick)
- 2 cups Chicken breast (cooked and shredded)
- 1 large White onion (finely chopped)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 large Tomato (diced)
- 0.5 cup Green olives (sliced)
- 0.25 cup Raisins
- 2 tablespoons Capers
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Hot sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 2 large Eggs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
If using a whole Edam cheese, carefully cut off the top and scoop out the inside, leaving about a 1-inch-thick shell. Reserve the cheese that you scoop out. Alternatively, you can use slices of Edam cheese for layering in a baking dish.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the diced tomato, shredded chicken, sliced olives, raisins, capers, and chopped parsley. Mix well to combine.
Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, and salt to the mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
If using the reserved cheese from the hollowed-out Edam, grate it and stir some into the filling mixture, leaving enough to sprinkle on top later.
Whisk the eggs in a small bowl, then stir them into the filling mixture to help bind it together. Remove from heat.
If using a hollow cheese, spoon the filling mixture into the cheese shell and place the top of the cheese back on. Alternatively, if using a baking dish, layer slices of cheese on the bottom, followed by the filling, and then top with more cheese slices.
Place the filled cheese or baking dish in the oven. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Slice and serve warm with rice, bread, or a fresh green salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4872 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 320.0 g | 410% | |
| Saturated Fat | 176.6 g | 883% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1588 mg | 529% | |
| Sodium | 11118 mg | 483% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 101.3 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.7 g | 63% | |
| Total Sugars | 57.0 g | ||
| Protein | 397.5 g | 795% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.9 mcg | 35% | |
| Calcium | 6834 mg | 526% | |
| Iron | 16.0 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 3964 mg | 84% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
