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

One of the most famous Hungarian dishes, this slow-simmered Hungarian beef and onion stew is loaded with flavor and is positively delicious! Authentic Pörkölt, or Hungarian beef and onion stew, is a rich and flavorful dish. It features tender beef, caramelized onions, and traditional Hungarian spices like paprika and caraway seeds. The stew is simmered slowly for a deep and satisfying flavor. Pörkölt is typically served with potatoes or noodles, and it’s a comforting and delicious taste of Hungary.

Serves 4-6

Essen Recipes

INGREDIENTS
4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced (traditionally you would use about 2 tbsp of lard) and many Hungarians add some kolbasz for flavor
1 large yellow onion
1 green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large tomato
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
1 bay leaf, salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds (700 g) stewing beef, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Water

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven and fry the bacon until crispy. Once done, add the onions and cook over medium-high heat until they turn golden. Add the bell peppers and garlic, and sauté for an additional two minutes. Next, add the beef to the pot and cook for one minute until it loses some of its pink color. Stir in the paprika, then remove the pot from the heat.

Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, caraway seeds, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour just enough water into the pot to reach slightly over halfway up the stew mixture. Return the pot to the heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 90 minutes. If the stew is not thick enough, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.

Serve with mashed or boiled potatoes or wide egg noodles. It is traditional to also serve a side salad, particularly a cucumber salad.

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Homemade Mashed Potatoes: Easy, Creamy, and Bursting with Flavor!

INGREDIENTS:
2 lb (1 kg) potatoes
1 tbsp salt
3 tbsp (50 g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (120 ml) warm whole milk
1/2 tsp salt
Garnish with extra butter

INSTRUCTIONS:
To prepare the perfect mashed potatoes, start by cutting the potato into evenly sized pieces. Boil them in salted water until they are incredibly soft and can be easily crumbled with a fork. After draining, return the potatoes to the pot and mash them with butter and milk until they reach a creamy and fluffy texture.

Finally, transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and create decorative swirls on the top. This will provide the perfect canvas to drizzle some extra melted butter, taking the mashed potatoes to a whole new level of deliciousness!

The rhyme rings true: Sue Li’s Lemony Shrimp and Bean Stew recipe is quick to make and a delight to eat. In a velvety mix of white beans simmered with browned leeks and plump, tender shrimp, she pairs smoked paprika with lemon juice for a bright and earthy edge. She says it serves four but, let’s be real, that’s just a suggestion.

Serves 2-4

New York Times

INGREDIENTS
1 tsp. fresh lemon zest, plus 2 Tbs juice
1 tsp. sweet paprika
2 garlic cloves, grated
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound peeled, deveined large shrimp (tails removed)
4 Tbs. unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
2 large leeks, trimmed, then halved lengthwise, white and green parts sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh parsley
Toasted bread for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine lemon zest, paprika, garlic, 3/4 tsp. salt and 3/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. When butter is foaming, add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink and starting to curl, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to a plate; set aside.

Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium until leeks are soft and starting to brown on the edges, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans and chicken broth and bring to a boil over high. Lower heat and simmer, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in reserved shrimp and any juices from the plate, parsley, and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Serve with toasted bread.

Shrimp Stew is made with traditional Greek ingredients Ouzo and Feta.

Serves 3-4

gustotv.com/recipes

INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
14 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried oregano
½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
¼ teaspoon (1 ml) pepper
½ cup (2.5 ml) ouzo
1 ½ cups (360 ml) chopped tomatoes
4 ounces (114 g) feta cheese, cut into cubes, portion reserved for garnish
1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced parsley, for garnish
Rustic bread to serve

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat olive oil in skillet.

Add red onion and garlic and fry until soft.

Add shrimp, oregano, salt and pepper, and cook 1 minute.

Deglaze with the ouzo (Note: pan will flame up so be careful).

Cover pan with lid to put out flame.

Add tomatoes to the skillet and simmer until reduced.

Add feta.

Remove from heat and stir.

Top with minced parsley and reserved feta.

Serve hot with slices of rustic bread

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.

Italian Beef Stew (Spezzatino di Manzo) is the perfect comfort food during those cooler months. Chuck beef is braised until tender in a hearty stew of carrots, celery, mushrooms, and red wine. Herbs like rosemary and bay leaf add additional flavor to this tasty stew that is perfect served with creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, or a chunk of crusty bread!

Serves 6

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
2 ½ pounds chuck roast cubed
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium onion diced
3 medium carrots diced
2 large celery ribs diced
8 ounces baby Bella mushrooms sliced
1 cup dry red wine chianti, valpolicella, carbernet, etc
2 cups low sodium beef stock
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 large bay leaf

For cornstarch slurry (optional):
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 ounce water

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 300f and make room on the middle rack for a large Dutch oven. Heat a large Dutch oven to medium-low heat, then add the olive oil, carrots, celery, and onion. Cook for 5 minutes then add the mushrooms, turn heat to medium, and continue to cook stirring frequently.

While the veggies are sauteing, pat the chuck roast cubes dry. Once the mushrooms release their water and most of it has evaporated from the pot, season the beef cubes with salt and pepper and add to the pot.

Coat the beef with the veggies and oil. Let the beef cook for 5-10 minutes (it won’t develop much color). Next, turn heat to medium-high and add the wine and cook for 5-7 minutes or until it mostly evaporates and absorbs into the beef. Using a wooden spoon scrape up all of the brown bits while the beef is cooking.

Add the beef stock, rosemary, and bay leaf and stir it all together. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook in the oven for 2 ½ hours or until tender. For the last 30-45 minutes braise with no lid to thicken the sauce and add a bit of color to the meat.

Once the beef is tender remove the pot from the oven. If there is too much liquid in the pot use a slurry of cornstarch (see notes) to thicken or cook over medium heat on the stovetop to thicken and reduce the liquid. Once satisfied with the consistency, taste test and make final adjustments to salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread or with polenta or mashed potatoes.

Notes:
– If you want a thicker sauce use a slurry of cornstarch after braising and right before serving. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 ounce of water. Pour the slurry into the pot while it’s bubbling and stir for 1 minute until sauce thickens. For an even thicker sauce use more slurry.
– Dried mushrooms can be easily substituted for fresh mushrooms. They work great for stews like this.

Braised Short Ribs are a favorite cool-weather comfort food. Beef short ribs are braised until tender in a sauce made from carrots, celery, onion, and herbs and are perfect served over mashed potatoes, polenta, or rice

Serves 4

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
4 ½ pounds English cut short ribs trimmed of silverskin and excess fat – see notes below
½ cup flour for dredging only
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium onions diced
4 medium carrots diced
3 celery ribs diced
10 cloves garlic smashed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 ounces crushed plum tomatoes
2 cups dry white wine
2 medium bay leaves
3 sprigs thyme
2 sprig rosemary
2-3 cups low sodium chicken stock or enough to almost cover the ribs

Gremolata (optional):
½ cup Italian flat-leaf parsley minced
1 clove garlic minced
1-2 teaspoons orange zest
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 300f and set the rack to the middle level.

Heat a large stainless steel pan to medium heat. Trim short ribs of any silverskin and excess exterior fat. Dry the short ribs with paper towels and season with salt and pepper on all sides. Dredge the ribs in the flour and shake off the excess. Add the olive oil to the pan and sear the short ribs on all sides until well browned. Work in batches, if required, to not overcrowd the pan. Set all of the seared short ribs aside.

Remove all but 3 tablespoons of the fat and oil from the pan and turn the heat down to a touch less than medium. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Saute for about 10-12 minutes or until very soft. Once soft, add the garlic cloves and cook until golden (about 2 minutes).

Add the tomato paste and stir frequently for 3-5 minutes. Next, add the wine and turn the heat to high. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes.

Lower the heat to a simmer and add the tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Taste test the sauce and season with a bit of salt and plenty of pepper. Don’t use too much salt at this time since the sauce will reduce and concentrate.

Pour the sauce into a roasting pan or baking dish. Place the short ribs into the pan. Pour enough chicken stock to almost submerge the short ribs. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 3 hours, turning the ribs over at the halfway point. After 3 hours remove the foil. Continue to cook until the meat is fork-tender but not falling apart (~30-60 minutes).

Once tender, remove the short ribs from the oven and place them onto a platter tented with foil. Degrease the sauce with a fat separator, paper towels, bulb baster, or just skim with a spoon. Remove and discard the herbs. To thicken the sauce, transfer to a pot and turn the heat to high or if satisfied with the sauce’s consistency just serve as is. Taste test the sauce and make final adjustments to salt and pepper.

Serve the braised short ribs over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, polenta, or with crusty bread. Top with the gremolata if desired.

Notes:
– One large 3 to 4-inch long English cut short ribs is a perfect portion size. If the ribs are smaller, 2 or more per person might be needed. For this reason, pounds were specified over the number of short ribs.
– Cooking time is a rough estimate. Cook until the fat has rendered and the ribs are very tender. Depending on the fat composition and size of the short rib more or less than 3 ½ hours of braising time might be required.
– Serving the short ribs the next day is even better if you have the time!

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

Pasta e Fagioli, also known as pasta fazool, or pasta and beans, is one of the most iconic Italian-American comfort foods. It’s simple to make, budget-friendly, and full of wonderful flavor and texture from cannellini beans, pancetta, Parmigiano Reggiano, ditalini pasta, and rosemary.

Serves 6

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces pancetta/bacon diced
5 cloves garlic minced
1 medium onion diced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 16 ounce cans cannellini beans drained, but don’t rinse
6 cups water to start but add more as needed
3 canned plum tomatoes hand crushed, note: just 3 plum tomatoes from 1 can – that’s it!
1 sprig rosemary optional
2 cups ditalini pasta or small shells, elbows, etc
Parmigiano, grated (rind optional)
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
In a large heavy pot saute the pancetta in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 7-10 minutes over medium heat or until the pancetta has rendered most of its fat.

Next, add in the onions and saute for 5 minutes then add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more until just golden. Finally, add the hot red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.

Next, add in 6 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and the plum tomatoes and give it all a stir. Add in the drained beans and the Parmigiano Reggiano rind (if you don’t have one, you can use a bit of grated cheese or just omit) and bring to a boil for 5 minutes.

Lower the heat to medium and crush some of the beans by smashing them against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon. For a creamier consistency use an immersion blender, or spoon ⅓ of the beans into a regular blender and pulse. Don’t blend too much so that some of the whole bean texture is maintained. Make sure to do this step before adding the pasta!

Add in the pasta and cook until al dente. Keep an eye on the pot and stir very frequently to avoid sticking. The pasta will absorb much of the liquid so add more water as needed. The final consistency of the pasta e fagioli is 100% a personal preference. If you like it soupier, add more water!

Once the pasta is al dente turn off the heat and taste test. Adjust salt (will probably need a good amount), pepper, and hot red pepper to taste.

When satisfied with the taste, serve in bowls with crusty bread. Offer grated cheese, hot red pepper flakes, or black pepper on the side and drizzle some high-quality extra virgin olive onto each bowl.

Pasta e Ceci (pasta with chickpeas) is an easy recipe that makes the perfect weeknight meal! This delicious one-pot pasta can be prepared with very few ingredients. If you have Parmigiano Reggiano rinds saved in the fridge this is the dish to use them with! I hope you enjoy this pasta and chickpeas recipe!

Serves 8

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
12 ounces small pasta
3 ounces tomato paste
1 small celery rib
1 small carrot
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 15 ounce cans of chickpeas
1 cup parmigiano reggiano
6 cups low sodium chicken stock
2 cups pasta water
1 large sprig rosemary
½ tsp crushed red pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Start by cooking pasta to al dente in salted (2 Tbsp kosher salt per gallon) water. Reserve pasta water for thinning later if required.

Dice onion, carrot, and celery into small pieces. Mince 2 cloves of garlic. Grate 1 cup of parmigiano reggiano.

In a large pot add the ¼ cup of olive oil and saute the onion and garlic for 1 minute on medium heat. Add the chopped carrots and celery and continue to saute for 5 more minutes until softened.

Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to the pot and cook for 1 minute. Next, add the 3 ounces of tomato paste and the rosemary sprig and give it a stir. Cook for 3 more minutes.

Add the 6 cups of low sodium chicken broth and bring to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove the rosemary stem and add the pasta and let cook for 10 -15 minutes more on low heat to absorb all the flavors.

Finally, add the ½ cup of Parmigiano Reggiano and stir one more time. If the pasta e ceci is too thin for your liking let it cook for a few more minutes to thicken. If it is too thick, just add some of the reserved pasta water.

Before bringing the pot to the table, taste test and adjust salt/pepper and crushed red pepper levels if required. Serve in bowls with a healthy drizzle of extra virgin olive on top. Serve with crusty Italian bread, more cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes on the side.