Poul Ak Nwa (Cashew Chicken)

In Haitian Creole, poul means “hen” or “chicken”, ak means “with” and nwa means “nut”. Cashew chicken is a rich specialty of Haiti, and is the signature dish of the north of the country, in the Cap-Haitien region. This dish is an obvious representation of Haiti’s regionalism, as Haitians cook a lot with cashews in the North. They became a widely used food there mainly because the Spanish regarded cashews as “food for the heart”, and associated them with remedies for various conditions and medical problems. This dish is much better when the chicken is marinated for several hours before cooking. For the marinade, lime juice or Seville orange (or even a combination of both), is the essential ingredient, along with epis (or épice). Haitians also call this marinade, le tout trempé (“all soaked”). No self-respecting Haitian cook would be without it. Epis is a mixture of spices and vegetables that are made into a coarse purée. Shallot, onion, garlic, peppers, and olive oil are mixed with white vinegar, plus the two most important elements, the Scotch Bonnet hot pepper and the bouillon cube. The cashews, after being soaked in plenty of water, are added at the end of cooking.