What is the recipe for Puchero?

Puchero: A Hearty Spanish Stew Recipe

Puchero is a traditional Spanish stew that varies greatly depending on the region and family recipe. Here is a basic recipe that you can adapt to your liking:

Ingredients:

* Meat:

* 1 lb beef chuck roast

* 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes

* 1 lb chorizo sausage (Spanish or Mexican)

* Vegetables:

* 1 large onion, chopped

* 2 carrots, chopped

* 2 celery stalks, chopped

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 green bell pepper, chopped

* 1 red bell pepper, chopped

* 1 cup chopped tomatoes

* 1 cup frozen peas

* 1 cup frozen green beans

* 1 cup diced potatoes

* Other:

* 1/2 cup olive oil

* 1 tsp smoked paprika

* 1 tsp ground cumin

* 1 tsp salt

* 1/2 tsp black pepper

* 1 bay leaf

* 1/2 cup chicken broth or water

* For serving:

* Crusty bread

* White rice

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef, pork, and chorizo and brown on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.

2. Sauté the vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the spices: Stir in the paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.

4. Add the tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Return the meat: Return the browned meat to the pot.

6. Add the broth/water: Pour in the chicken broth or water.

7. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is very tender.

8. Add remaining vegetables: Add the bell peppers, potatoes, peas, and green beans to the pot and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

9. Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Serve hot with crusty bread and white rice.

Variations:

* Meat: You can use other meats like chicken, lamb, or veal. You can also use different types of sausage, like chorizo picante or Spanish chorizo.

* Vegetables: Add other vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, turnips, or cabbage.

* Flavor: Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, or thyme. You can also add a pinch of saffron for a more sophisticated flavor.

* Soup: Add extra broth or water to make a soupier version of the stew.

Tips:

* Slow Cooker: For a hands-off approach, you can make puchero in a slow cooker. Follow the same instructions, but cook on low for 6-8 hours.

* Make ahead: Puchero can be made ahead of time and reheated. It actually tastes better the next day!

* Freezing: You can freeze leftover puchero for up to 3 months.

Enjoy this delicious and comforting Spanish stew!