This Spanish Vegetarian Chickpea Stew, known as Potaje de Garbanzos a la Andaluza, is possibly the best plant-based stew ever.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
20 blanched almonds
8 cloves garlic
1 small onion
1 green bell pepper
1 carrot
1 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tomatoes
2 potatoes
2 cans chickpeas 15.5 oz each
3 cups vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
handful fresh parsley
sea salt & black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Drain the canned chickpeas into a colander and rinse under water, cut the potatoes (peeled) into small bite-size pieces, finely chop the onion, roughly chop 4 cloves of garlic, finely chop the green bell pepper, roughly chop the carrot (peeled) and finely grate the tomatoes

Heat a stock pot with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

After a couple of minutes add in the blanched almonds and four whole cloves of garlic (skins removed), mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the ingredients are lightly sauteed, transfer them into a mortar and set aside

Using the same pan with the same heat, add in the chopped onion, garlic, green bell pepper and carrot, mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sauteed, add in the sherry vinegar, paprika and cumin, quickly mix together, then add in the grated tomato and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and then simmer without mixing

Once the grated tomato has slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, add in the chopped potatoes, drained chickpeas and vegetable broth, then add in the bay leaf, turn it up to a high heat and give it a gentle mix

When it comes to a boil, place a lid on the stock pot and lower to a low-mediun heat

In the meantime, add in 2 tbsp (8 grams) chopped fresh parsley into the mortar with the almonds & garlic, along with a kiss of sea salt, using a pestle, pound down on the ingredients until you form a paste-like texture

After simmering the stew for 15 to 20 minutes and the potatoes are just cooked through (you can always pierce them with a toothpick to ensure they’re done), add in the almond and garlic mixture, mix together until well mixed, then remove from the heat

Transfer into shallow bowls and garnish with fresh parsley

Chef Michael Bonacini treks into the Sila region of Calabria, where dense woods and snow-capped peaks influence the Calabrian love for pork. Cooked low and slow with starchy potatoes and woodsy mushrooms, Pork Loin with Mushrooms and Potatoes is warm, hearty, and delicious

4 servings

gustotv.com/recipes

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1 1⁄2 pounds (680 g) pork loin, cut into 6 slices Salt and pepper
6 pieces bacon, chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled
4 cups (950 ml) sliced porcini mushrooms
1 chili pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons (30 ml) rosemary leaves
1⁄4 cup (60 ml) white wine
2 cups (470 ml) chicken stock
4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
1 lemon, juice

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat olive oil in an earthenware pot over high heat.

Season pork with salt and pepper, then add to the pot, searing 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer pork to a plate.

Add bacon to pot and fry until it has rendered its fat and started to crisp up, 4-5 minutes.

Add mushrooms and garlic and cook until golden, 1-2 minutes. Add chili pepper and rosemary.

Pour the white wine into the pot, scraping the brown cooked bits from the bottom.

Return the pork to the pot, placing on top of the mushroom mixture. Pour chicken stock into the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Lay potato slices over top of pork, covering completely. Season with salt and pepper and cover with a lid. Simmer 90 minutes.

Remove from heat and squeeze lemon juice over top. Serve from the earthenware pot.

This Spanish Lentil Stew with Chorizo, known as Lentejas con Chorizo, is one of Spain´s most classic recipes ever. Its got a ton of flavors, it´s easy to make, where there´s no tricky techniques or special equipment needed, and with that first spoonful it will instantly warm your soul.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 links firm Spanish chorizo
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 carrot
1 large potato
1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
2 tomatoes
1 cup dried brown lentils
5 cups vegetable broth or water
1 bay leaf
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper
handful fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS
Finely chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic, finely chop the bell peppers, thinly slice the carrot (peeled), cut the potato (peeled) into small bite-sized pieces, finely grate the tomatoes and cut the links of chorizo into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick rounds

Heat a stock pot with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

After a couple minutes add in the sliced chorizo, mix with the olive oil, after 3 minutes and the chorizo is lightly sauteed, add in all the cut vegetables, except for the potato, continue to mix with the olive oil, after 4 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sauteed, add in the paprika and quickly mix together, then add in the grated tomato, mix together and simmer without mixing

Once the grated tomato has slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, add in 1 cup dried brown lentils (rinsed beforehand), the chopped potatoes, vegetable broth or water and bay leaf, raise to a high heat and mix together, once it comes to a boil, place a lid on the stock pot and lower to a LOW heat

After simmering for 25 to 30 minutes and the lentils are cooked through (check the package instructions on the lentils you´re using), season the stew with sea salt & black pepper, mix together, then remove from the heat

Transfer into shallow bowls and sprinkle with finely chopped parsley

Caramelized Pasilla Brisket includes dried pasilla chiles, tomatillos and brown sugar. It will take 4.5 hours or more to prepare.

Serves 6

patijinich.com

INGREDIENTS
2 ounces (about 5 to 6) dried pasilla chiles stemmed and seeded
3 pounds beef brisket trimmed
2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt divided
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos husked, rinsed, quartered
1 large white onion cut into chunks
10 garlic cloves peeled
4 cups chicken broth
4 ounces (or 1/2 cup) grated piloncillo or brown sugar
1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes halved
1 1/2 pounds carrots peeled and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
Greens of your choice for salad
Freshly squeezed lime juice and olive oil to dress the salad

INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.

Heat up a comal or skillet over medium heat, then toast the pasilla chiles for about 1 to 2 minutes, flipping with tongs as they toast. Remove from heat and place in a bowl.

Season the meat with 1 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Heat oil in a large casserole or roasting pan set over high heat. Brown the meat for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add the toasted pasilla chiles, tomatillos, onion, garlic, chicken broth, piloncillo, the remaining teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Make sure chiles are covered with the broth.

Cover and seal tight with a lid or aluminum foil. Place in the oven and braise for 3 to 3-and-a-half hours, or until meat is tender. Remove from the oven. Remove the meat and place on a chopping board.

In a pot with salted boiling water, cook the potatoes and the carrots for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Drain and reserve.

Pour all the remaining contents of the roasting pan into the jar of a blender and puree until completely smooth. Pour the sauce back into roasting pan.

Slice the meat against the grain into about 1/2 to 3/4-inch slices and return it to the roasting pan. Add the potatoes and carrots, cover everything with the sauce. Cover the dish and return to oven for another 30 minutes. Remove the lid or aluminum foil, return to the oven and cook uncovered for another 30 minutes.

Toss the greens of your choice with lime juice and olive oil to taste. Serve the brisket with the side salad.

In Senegal at the Keur Moussa monastery, a typical meal includes poulet mafé, a thick peanut sauce with chicken, root vegetables, and cabbage served over rice, fonio, or millet couscous. For chef Pierre Thiam, poulet mafé is the ultimate comfort food. His advice: “Be patient when cooking mafé. Let the stew simmer slowly until the oil rises to the surface.” Creamy peanut butter adds body and nuttiness to this savory chicken dish, balancing the aromatic ginger, garlic, and tomato paste. Thiam’s version uses fish sauce, which brings a subtle umami that adds complexity to the stew.

Sub soy sauce, tamari or Worcestershire sauce for fish sauce. Chop up a whole chicken.

Serves 4-6

foodandwine.com

INGREDIENTS
3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
Pinch of kosher salt, plus more to taste
Pinch of black pepper
1 pound bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
1 pound chicken drumsticks, skin removed
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
¼ cup fish sauce (such as Red Boat)
7 cups water
1 cup unsweetened creamy peanut butter (such as Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter), well stirred
8 ounces green cabbage, cored and cut into 2-inch wedges
3 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch-long pieces
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
1 medium-size sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
Sliced fresh Scotch bonnet chiles, to taste (optional)
Cooked white rice, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
Stir together garlic, ginger, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken; press garlic mixture into chicken pieces. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to 12 hours.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high until oil shimmers. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until onion starts to become translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and fish sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until combined and tomato paste caramelizes and turns a few shades darker, 6 to 8 minutes. Add 7 cups water, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of Dutch oven. Add chicken and any remaining garlic mixture in bowl to Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Place peanut butter in a medium-size heatproof bowl; stir in 1 1/2 cups liquid from Dutch oven, 1/4 cup at a time, until peanut butter is thinned out and mixture is creamy. Add to mixture in Dutch oven; bring to a vigorous simmer over medium-low. Simmer, undisturbed, 20 minutes.

Stir cabbage and carrots into mixture in Dutch oven; return to a vigorous simmer over medium-low. Simmer, undisturbed, 10 minutes.

Stir potato and sweet potato pieces into mixture in Dutch oven; return to a vigorous simmer over medium-low. Simmer, undisturbed, until chicken and vegetables are tender and oil has separated from thickened sauce, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Scotch bonnet chiles, if using, and season with salt to taste. Serve over rice.

Bigos is an Eastern European stew that has many adaptations; some versions incorporate rice and/or a variety of vegetables and meats, so you can use whatever you have on hand. This version is a Polish hunter’s stew that features kielbasa, smoky bacon, melty cabbage, and lots of delicious broth that can be sopped up with bread.

Serves 12

bonappetit.com

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. double-smoked slab bacon, cut into 1″ cubes
1½ lb. kielbasa sausage, sliced on a diagonal ½” thick
8 garlic cloves, crushed
3 Tbsp. double concentrated tomato paste
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
¾ tsp. cayenne pepper
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
2 Tbsp. kosher salt
1 small head of green cabbage (about 2 lb.), cored, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, peeled, sliced 1½” thick
1 Pink Lady apple, cored, grated on the large holes of a box grater
2 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 1″ pieces
1 lb. sauerkraut (not drained; about 2 cups)
4 cups homemade beef stock or water
Small dill sprigs, dark rye or pumpernickel bread, and unsalted butter (for serving)

INSTRUCTIONS
Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat, stirring often, until brown and crisp, 10–12 minutes. Transfer bacon to a small bowl with a slotted spoon; set aside. Cook kielbasa in bacon fat in pot, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with tongs; set aside.

Reduce heat to medium-low, add garlic to same pot, and cook, stirring often, until just beginning to turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until paste darkens slightly in color and begins to stick to pot, about 2 minutes. Add paprika, coriander, cumin, and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Immediately add onions and turn to coat. Increase heat to medium-high, pour in wine, and cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot, until smell of the alcohol cooks off, about 3 minutes. Stir in salt, then add cabbage, carrots, apple, potatoes, sauerkraut, stock, and reserved bacon. Bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer gently, mixing well halfway through, 1 hour. Mix in reserved kielbasa. Cover and cook until bacon is tender, cabbage is meltingly soft, and potatoes are cooked through, 30–60 minutes.

Divide stew among bowls. Top with dill. Serve with bread and butter alongside.

Do Ahead: Stew can be made 1 week ahead (flavor will improve as time goes on). Cover and chill.