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

Basque Garlic Soup is a balm for a cold day enjoyed throughout Spain. The piping hot bowl of garlicky, smoky broth is filled with tendrils of eggs, thickened with bread, and heightened with a splash of sherry vinegar. In the Basque region, this soup traditionally uses a bread called zopako ogia that has a broad, dry crust, and very little crumb, making it perfect for thickening soup. This soup, from writer and cookbook author Marti Buckley, calls for a baguette that’s very well-toasted — almost burnt — in olive oil to add body and roasted depth.

Serves 4

foodandwine.com

INGREDIENTS
4 ounces high-quality baguette
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
1 garlic head (about 12 cloves), peeled and finely chopped
1 heaping tablespoon Pimentón de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)
8 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
3 large eggs, beaten

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place baguette on a baking sheet, and toast in preheated oven until very browned and almost burnt, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool. Break or slice bread into 2-inch pieces.

Heat 7 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add bread pieces, and reduce heat to medium. Cook, turning often to allow bread to toast and soak up oil, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove bread, and set aside. Wipe pot clean.

Add garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pot. Cook over medium-high, stirring constantly, until garlic is golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in paprika. Add broth and salt; bring to a boil.

Add bread to pot. Reduce heat to medium-low, and maintain a simmer. Add vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up bread, until flavors meld, about 25 minutes. Taste and add more salt, if needed.

When ready to serve, bring soup to a simmer over medium-high. Stirring constantly, slowly pour beaten eggs into hot soup. If any large pieces of bread remain, cut with kitchen scissors, or break apart with a spoon. Serve hot.

Vinegar and Garlic Cauliflower, known as Coliflor al Ajo Cabañil, is packed with flavors, easy to make and all done in under 30 minutes. Serve this dish as a tapas appetizer or even as a side dish.

Serves 4 as side

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
1 head cauliflower
6 cloves garlic
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Remove the outer leaves from the head of cauliflower and cut off the stem, then cut the head into 4 evenly sized pieces and break off or cut off the florets, cut the bigger ones into smaller florets so they´re all similar in size, add the florets into a strainer and rinse under water, using a salad spinner or a dish cloth completely dry the florets

Add 6 cloves garlic roughly chopped into a mortar, along with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and a pinch of sea salt, using a pestle pound down until you form a paste like texture, then add in 2 tbsp sherry vinegar, mix together and set aside

Heat a large fry pan with a medium-high heat

After 5 minutes add in 3 tbsp garlic infused olive oil and the florets of cauliflower, mix them around so they´re coated in the olive oil and then place them in a single layer, after 1 minute mix the florets and once again place in a single layer, cook in this technique until they are golden seared, about 8 to 10 minutes

Once the florets seared all around and cooked through (pierce one with a toothpick, if it easily goes in but with some resistance they are ready), lower the heat to a low-medium heat, add in the garlic & vinegar sauce and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and cook for 2 to 3 minutes

Transfer everything into a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley, serve warm or at room temperature