How To Make a Spanish Chickpea Stew

Spanish cocido de garbanzo beans or Spanish chickpea stew

If you enjoy preparing Spanish recipes, then you're going to enjoy this garbanzo bean stew recipe; which is, in reality, a Spanish chickpea stew. Although an easy recipe to make, the Spanish chickpea stew is not really a fast recipe since it takes some time to have chickpeas ready to cook and that the stew is supposed to be a low-simmering recipe.

Cocido de garbanzos (Spanish chickpea stew), is one of the few meals I enjoy preparing as it doesn't involve too much work in the kitchen. Although I don't like to spend hours and hours in my kitchen, I always enjoy preparing this delicious recipe that is the Spanish chickpea stew during winter season as this excellent chickpea stew warms my heart and body when weather is cold.

So, if you're interested in learning how to prepare a simple but delicious Spanish chickpea stew (or cocido de garbanzo), embark in my Spanish cooking train.

How to Make a Simple Spanish Chickpea Stew

 

Traditional cocido de garbanzos - how I prepare this Spanish recipe

Although Spanish garbanzo beans stew preparation starts 24 hours in advance, it doesn't take so long to have the cocido de garbanzos ready and you can start to prepare it the day you plan to consume it. Here are the ingredients to prepare this cocido de garbanzo bean stew as well as the directions to prepare this delicious winter recipe.

Ingredients:

•     1/2 lbs/200 g dried chickpeas
•     Half a chorizo cut into large slices
•     Two pieces Morcilla de Burgos
•     1 large slice Serrano ham cut into dice
•     3 large diced tomatoes or one can peeled tomatoes
•     3 medium diced potatoes
•     1 large diced onion
•     2 large diced carrots
•     Diced garlic to taste
•     2 bouillon cubes
•     Laurel leaves
•     Olive oil
•     Salt and pepper to taste
•     Saffron (optional)

Instructions to prepare Spanish chickpea stew:

1. Sweat (lightly fry) diced onion and garlic in olive oil;
2. Once the onion is transparent, add diced carrots and cook for few minutes
3. Add diced fresh tomatoes or a can peeled tomatoes
4. Add chickpeas, diced Serrano ham, sliced Chorizo, salt and pepper and softly mix all ingredients
5. Cover the preparation with water, add 2 bouillon cubes and cook for 30 minutes
6. Add entire Morcilla pieces (you will cut them when you serve the dish) and cook for 15 additional minutes
7. Add diced potatoes and cook for another 30 minutes
8. If you like, add saffron to the stew when you add potatoes (not mandatory).

How to prepare a Spanish chickpea stew (or cocido de garbanzos) in pictures

          
          
     

That's it. Your garbanzo stew is ready! Serve in soup bowls with French bread and a glass Spanish wine.

24 hours in advance, place the chickpeas in a pan or bowl and add water. Let them soak for 24 hours. If you don't have dried chickpeas, you can replace with 1 lbs canned chickpeas.

Cocido de garbanzos preserves several days in the fridge; you just have to add some water before warming.

Materials to Prepare Spanish Chickpea Stew

 

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 9-Quart Round French Oven, Flame

My aunts always use cast-iron casseroles to prepare Spanish chickpea stew; they preserve the savour of the ingredients and provide the dishes with an excellent taste.

I love cooking in enmaled cast iron casseroles. They provide the foods with a delightful taste. They also are ideal to prepare traditional recipes that cook for a long time. The plus is that they easily go from the stove to the oven and vice versa.

Calphalon Contemporary 2-Piece Fruit/Vegetable Knife Set

Use a knife especially made to cut vegetables; it eases the process of having the veggies ready to prepare the recipe.

8 Piece Stainless Steel Prep Bowls Set with Lids

 

Have the vegetables and meat ingredients ready before starting the recipe and store them in bowls. This will ease the preparation.

Next time we'll have an overview of the main ingredients that are indispensable to prepare this tasty recipe.