This Creamy Garlic and Rice Soup, known in Spain as Arroz Meloso al Ajo, is where simplicity meets extraordinary. We´re talking simple ingredients, minimal effort and a ton of great flavors. Serve this soup as a starter or even as a main course, and always next to a crunchy baguette for the ultimate Spanish experience.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 head of garlic
1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
6 cups vegetable broth
1 cup Spanish round or arborio rice
1 egg
handful fresh parsley
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Separate the cloves of garlic from the head, remove the skins from each clove and roughly chop the garlic, add into a mortar, along with the sweet smoked paprika and a pinch of sea salt, using a pestle, pound down on the mixture until you form a paste like texture

Add the broth into a sauce pan and heat with a high heat

At the same time, heat a stock pot with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

After a couple of minutes add in the garlic paste, mix continuously, after 1 minute and the garlic is fragrant, add in the rice and season with sea salt & black pepper, continue to mix continuously

Once the rice is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes, add in the simmering vegetable broth, mix every 2 to 3 minutes, this will help release the starch in the rice to give that creamy texture

In the meantime, crack the egg into a bowl, season with salt & pepper and whisk together

Once the rice is cooked through, 15 minutes or so (check package instructions), slowly add in the whisked egg while mixing continuously, once all the egg has been added, continue to mix for another 30 to 45 seconds, then remove from the heat

Transfer into shallow bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, serve at once

This Spanish Seafood Pasta Soup, known as Sopa de Fideos Marineros, is what Spanish Mediterranean food is all about. We´re talking a ton of delicious flavors, easy to make and all done in about 30 minutes. Serve this soup next to a crunchy baguette and a bottle of Spanish white wine for a complete and nutritious meal.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion
5 cloves garlic
2 carrots
1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 tomatoes
5 cups fish broth
1/4 tsp saffron threads
1 cup Spanish fideos (small cut spaghetti) 5 oz
2 cod fillets 8 oz each
1/2 lbs raw medium sized shrimp (peeled & deveined)
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper
fresh parsley

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

In the meantime, finely chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic and cut the carrots (peeled) into small bite-sized pieces

Add the cut ingredients into the stock pot with the hot oil, mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sauteed, add in the paprika and thyme, quickly mix together, then add in the tomatoes finely grated and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and then simmer without mixing

Once the grated tomato has slightly thickened, about 4 minutes, add in the broth and saffron, turn it up to a high heat and give it a gentle mix

While the broth is heating, add the cod fillets over paper towels and pat dry, then season with salt & pepper and cut into bite-sized pieces, also add the shrimp over paper towels and pat dry, then season with salt & pepper

Once the broth comes to a boil, add in the fideos (pasta), mix every 1 to 2 minutes

About 2 minutes before the pasta is cooked al dente, add in the cod and shrimp, mix together, then place a lid on the pan and lower to a low-medium heat, simmer for 2 to 4 minutes or until the seafood is cooked through, then remove from the heat

Transfer into shallow bowls and garnish with fresh parsley

It’s true that cooking dried beans may not sound that appealing—they can’t compete with canned when it comes to convenience. But for recipes where beans take centre stage, dried are well worth the extra time and effort. By adding your own seasonings from the start to the Pizza Beans, you can impart big flavor and control the salt levels. (Canned beans contain added salt, which you can partially remove by draining and rinsing them, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you are looking to reduce your sodium intake.)

Dried beans lend themselves well to batch cooking, since it’s easy to cook up a large quantity at once, and you can freeze them after cooking to add to future meals. They also yield a cheaper cost per serving than canned. Another benefit to dried is texture: Dried beans maintain their shape better during cooking, while remaining soft and creamy on the inside, whereas canned beans tend to turn mushy and break down.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS
1 lb (454 g) large lima, butter or gigantes beans soaked in cold water for 4-8 hours, or overnight in fridge
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½ tsp fennel seed
½ tsp chili flakes, plus more for topping
4 cups water
1½ tsp kosher salt
2 dried bay leaves
1 sprig fresh oregano
1 can whole, peeled San Marzano tomatoes, liquid drained
A handful of cheese for topping (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook until translucent and beginning to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add garlic, fennel and chili flakes and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Add drained beans, 4 cups of water, salt and bay leaves. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook, keeping at a gentle simmer until beans are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Add tomatoes, breaking up with your hands, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until liquid is thickened, tomatoes begin to break down and beans are very tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with more salt, if needed.

Serve beans topped with your favourite cheese, fresh oregano or basil leaves, some crusty bread and a drizzle of olive oil.

TIP
You can substitute two 15-ounce cans of lima or cannellini beans for dried. After you cook the garlic, fennel and chili flakes in Step 1, add the canned beans and move directly to Step 2.

Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Gumbo is a Cajun-style stew that’s loaded with a variety of flavors and textures. A dark roux forms the foundation to which onion, celery, and green bell pepper are added along with chicken, andouille sausage, and shrimp. Served over rice and topped with green onion and a sprinkle of filé powder, this gumbo is sure to be a favorite in your home!

Serves 6

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
11 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
11 tablespoons flour
1 medium onion diced
2 ribs celery diced
1 large green pepper diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
¾ pound large shrimp deveined and shells/tails removed
¾ pound Andouille sausage sliced
5 cups low sodium chicken stock plus more if too thick
¼ cup flat leaf parsley minced
2 large bay leaves
1 teaspoon filé powder for serving, optional
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning divided, plus more to taste
salt and pepper to taste
5 green onions sliced

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy pot to a touch less than medium. Add 9 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Slowly whisk the flour into the oil and cook, stirring frequently, until the roux reaches a dark brown color (about 40-45 minutes). Make sure to watch the roux the whole time and stir frequently to avoid burning.

Meanwhile, heat a large pan to medium heat. Pat the chicken thighs dry then season with a ½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning on all sides.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan and add the chicken thighs. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side or until well browned. Remove the thighs to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle chop into bite-size pieces.

Add the Andouille sausage to the same pan and sear until browned (about 4-5 minutes total) then set aside on a plate. Add the low-sodium chicken stock to the pan and with a wooden spoon scrape up all of the brown bits. Turn the heat down to low.

Once the roux is dark brown, add the onions, pepper, and celery and cook in the roux until soft (about 7-10 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.

Add the chopped chicken, Andouille sausage, chicken stock, bay leaves, and remaining Cajun seasoning to the pot and bring to a boil. Scrape up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Once boiling turn the heat down and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes stir in the shrimp along with the parsley. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked then remove the pot from the heat.

Taste test and adjust salt and pepper and Cajun seasoning to taste if required. Serve the gumbo with white rice, a sprinkle of green onion and parsley, and filé powder.

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.

This Classic Spanish Fish Soup, known as Sopa de Pescado, is one of the most popular dishes you will find up and down the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Loaded with Authentic Spanish flavors, easy to make and done in about 30 minutes

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion
4 cloves garlic
1 carrot
1 celery stick
1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
4 cups fish broth
1/4 tsp saffron threads
1/2 cup fideos (small cut spaghetti)
2 cod fillets 7 oz each
12 raw jumbo shrimp peeled & deveined
2 bay leafs
1 lemon
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper
fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large fry pan or stock pot with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

Meanwhile, finely chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic, thinly slice the celery and roughly chop the carrot (peeled)

Add the cut vegetables into the hot pan, mix with the olive oil, after 4 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sauteed, add in the paprika, thyme and season with sea salt & black pepper, quickly mix together, then add in the broth, saffron and bay leaves, raise to a high heat

Once the broth comes to a boil add in the fideos, mix together and continue to cook on a high heat

Meanwhile, pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels, season with sea salt & black pepper and cut each fillet into small bite-sized pieces, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels as well and season with sea salt & black pepper

After cooking the fideos for 5 minutes, 2 minutes shy of being cooked al dente, add in the cod and shrimp, place a lid on the pan and lower to a low-medium heat, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the seafood is fully cooked through, then remove from the heat

Transfer into shallow bowls, squeeze in a kiss of fresh lemon juice over the soup and garnish with parsley

Cold winter days call out for comfort food–and what could be better than this soupy, homely, immensely satisfying southern Italian dish, Pasta with Chickpeas?

Serves 4

food52.com

INGREDIENTS
7 ounces dried chickpeas (or a 14 ounce can of cooked chickpeas), plus liquid from cooking
1 fresh bay leaf
1 whole garlic clove
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 fresh or dried chili, chopped (optional)
about half a 14 ounce can of peeled, chopped tomatoes
7 ounces of short pasta such as ditalini, pasta mista, rombi or broken up lasagna noodles
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
If you’re using dried chickpeas, put them in a bowl covered with plenty of fresh cold water the night before and leave them to soak in the fridge. The next day, drain the soaked chickpeas and place them in a saucepan, cover with fresh water, add a bay leaf and simmer for a couple of hours or until the chickpeas are soft. Add salt to taste at the end. Don’t throw away the cooking liquid – this is gold and you’ll need it for the sauce. If using canned chickpeas, skip to next step.

In another saucepan, gently heat a smashed garlic clove, a sprig of rosemary (minus the twigs, or remove them before adding the chickpeas) and the chilli in a few tablespoons of olive oil. When the garlic begins to get fragrant and soften, perhaps even slightly colour, add the tomato and let sizzle for a few minutes.

Add a ladle-full of the chickpea liquid (if you’ve used canned, use the liquid in the can) and about two-thirds of the chickpeas. Puree the remaining chickpeas before adding to the saucepan to create a creamy, thick sauce. There are some who remove the lump of smashed garlic before adding the chickpea puree – but you can leave it in.

Add more of the chickpea liquid (or water or stock) to the sauce until it is quite watery, then add the pasta and cook until the al dente and the sauce has reduced. If you choose to use a long pasta, you may want to cook it separately in a pot of water then simply add it to the ready sauce.

By the time the pasta has cooked, the sauce should be creamy, not watery, but not too thick either. Like a creamy soup. Season with salt and plenty of freshly ground pepper. Ladle into shallow bowls, pour over your very best extra virgin olive oil, more freshly ground pepper and then let it sit for a moment or two before serving as it will be piping hot and it needs to cool a little to be best enjoyed. Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese is entirely optional. Serve this pasta dish with a spoon.

Fennel, olives, rosemary, and orange zest are four Provençal ingredients with punch in this Tomato Soup with Fennel. They may be used alone or combined, frequently with tomatoes.

From Bittman’s How to Cook Everything Fast Revised Edition: A Quick & Easy Cookbook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for garnish
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
2 medium fennel bulbs (1 pound)
2/3 cup any olives
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 orange
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 large (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock or water

INSTRUCTIONS
Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over low heat.

Trim, peel, and chop the onion; add to the pot.

Peel and mince 2 cloves garlic; add to the pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

When the onion and garlic start to sizzle, raise the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and color, 5 to 10 minutes.

Trim and chop the fennel bulbs, saving a few of the fronds for garnish.

Add the fennel to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally until the fennel begins to soften, 3 to 5 minutes.

Pit 2/3 cup olives if necessary; chop them up a bit.

Strip the leaves from 2 rosemary sprigs, and chop.

Grate 1 tablespoon zest from the orange; squeeze the juice into a small bowl through a strainer or your fingers to capture the seeds; then add the zest.

Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally until it darkens slightly, a minute or two.

Add the olives, rosemary, and orange juice and zest and cook, stirring until fragrant, less than a minute.

Add the tomatoes and their juice and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Add 4 cups stock or water and raise the heat to high.

When the soup comes to a boil, adjust the heat so it bubbles gently but steadily and cook, stirring once in a while until the tomatoes break down, 5 to 10 minutes.

Chop the reserved fennel fronds.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. To serve, drizzle with more olive oil and garnish with the fennel fronds.

Split Pea Soup with ham is a thick and comforting soup that’s loaded with smoky ham, sweet carrots, celery, onion, and creamy split peas. Our version includes a recipe for the best garlic croutons which can be piled on when serving. We’ve also included suggestions on how to make this vegetarian so it is really a dish that can be enjoyed by all!

Serves 6

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
For the split pea soup:
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
5 medium carrots diced, divided
3 celery ribs diced
1 medium onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 large bay leaf
1 smoked ham hock or ham bone
1 16-ounce bag split peas
4 cups low sodium chicken stock
4 cups water
8 ounces ham diced – can use deli ham, cooked ham, etc
salt and pepper to taste

For the croutons:
3 cups bread cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
For the croutons:
Begin by tossing the crouton ingredients together. Spread the croutons out onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 350f for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted but still chewy on the inside.

For the split pea soup:
Heat a large Dutch oven to medium-low and add the olive oil along with half of the carrots, and all the celery and onions. Saute until very soft without burning (about 12-15 minutes). Once soft, add the garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes.

Add the ham hock, split peas, bay leaf, low-sodium chicken stock, and water. Bring soup to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Partially cover the pot, leaving about 1-inch open. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.

After 20 minutes of simmering add the remaining carrots and stir to incorporate. Continue to simmer the soup, stirring occasionally, for roughly 60-75 more minutes to thicken and break down the peas.

During the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the diced ham. If the soup is too thick add a bit of water to thin it out. Conversely, if too thin, just increase the heat and stir frequently while cooking until the soup has reduced and thickened to your liking.

Taste test the soup, making sure there are no hard peas. If so, just continue to simmer until soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Before serving remove and discard the ham bone and bay leaf. Serve in bowls and top with the garlic croutons.

This Beef Barley Soup is loaded with carrots, celery, onion, pearl barley, and chunks of tender beef. Fresh thyme and parsley lend tremendous flavor to this soup that’s both nourishing and comforting.

Serves 6

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds beef chuck cubed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 ribs celery diced
4 medium carrots diced
3 cloves garlic minced
¾ cup dry red wine
6 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 sprigs thyme
1 cup pearl barley
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup parsley minced

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large heavy pot to medium heat and add the olive oil. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper on all sides. Sear the beef on all sides until well browned. Work in batches if required. Do not overcrowd the pan.

Set all the beef to the side and add the onions, celery, and carrots. Saute for 5 minutes then add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.

Add the red wine and turn the heat to high. Reduce by half (about 2 minutes) and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to remove all of the flavor bits.

Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and the beef back to the pot. Once boiling turn the heat down to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes with the lid partially covered.

Next, add the barley and cook at a simmer until tender (about 45-60 minutes). Taste test along the way and once the barley is tender, remove the pot from the heat.

Taste test and adjust salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, add water or extra low-sodium beef broth to thin it to personal preference. Add the parsley before serving.