Serves 8 Cocido is a peasant dish, variations of which have developed in all the different Spanish provinces. This is my simple version of the Cocido Madrileno that the ever-smiling Delfina used to prepare for us on cold, wet winter days in Segovia. The broths from...
Baked stuffed tomatoes
Serves 6 to 8 • ¾ lb. green bell peppers (about 2 large) • ¾ lb. zucchini • ½ lb. small Japanese eggplants (about 3 eggplants) • 1 small yellow onion • ¼ cup olive oil • 1½ tsp. salt, or more to taste • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • 1 tsp. crushed...
Mushroom-barley stuffing for cabbage rolls
• 2 oz. dried black mushrooms • ⅓ cup barley • ½ lb. fresh mushrooms • 1 large yellow onion • 4 Tbs. butter • salt • fresh-ground black pepper 1. Put the dried mushrooms in a bowl with 2 cups hot water and allow them to rehydrate for about 1 hour. Put the barley in a...
Italian potato and cheese casserole
Serves 5 to 6 • 2 lbs. russet potatoes • 6 Tbs. butter • ½ tsp. salt, and more to taste • 1½ lbs. ripe tomatoes • pepper to taste • 1½ tsp. basil, crushed • ⅔ lb. mozzarella cheese • 6 hard-boiled eggs • ⅔ cup chopped fresh parsley • ½ cup fresh-grated Parmesan cheese...
Stewed vegetables with anise and lemon sauce
Serves 6 to 8 • 1 lb. dried lima beans (about 2 cups) • 9 cups cold water • 2½ tsp. salt, and more to taste • 3 medium-sized heads anise (about 2 to 2½ lbs. untrimmed) or fennel • 2 large onions • ¾ lb. green beans • ½ lb. carrots • ½ lb. mushrooms • ½ cup butter • 3...
Squash and tomato stew
Serves 6 to 8 • 1½ large yellow onions • 4½ Tbs. olive oil • 5 to 6 cloves garlic, minced • ¾ tsp. ground cumin • ¾ tsp. cinnamon • ¾ cup diced hot green chilis • 1½ qt. cooked tomatoes, with liquid • 1¼ lbs. yellow winter squash, peeled and cut in ½-inch cubes • 1½...
Split pea soup
Serves 6 to 8 • 1 lb. green split peas • 3 qts. water • 1½ tsp. salt • 2½ Tbs. butter • 1½ cups finely chopped carrots • 1 cup finely chopped sweet potato • 1 cup finely chopped onions • ½ cup finely chopped celery • ½ to ¾ tsp. ground marjoram • 1 tsp. dried basil •...
INDIAN-STYLE BEAN SPROUTS WITH ONIONS, GINGER, AND GARLIC MATKI
Anita is a successful businesswoman who owns ten branches of a very popular store named Good Earth. It specializes in hand-crafted goods. On the day we met, she, with her daughter Simran and her grandson, were entertaining on the landscaped terrace of their stylish...
MUNG BEAN SPROUTS WITH SWISS CHARD PHUTI MOONG AUR SWISS CHARD
We do not really have Swiss chard in India, but this recipe serves to illustrate that Indian sprouts can be combined with most vegetables. Serve with a yogurt relish and a flatbread. SERVES 4 • 2 large stalks of Swiss chard (about 6 oz in all) • 1 tablespoon olive or...
OKRA IN A YOGURT AND CHICKPEA FLOUR SAUCE BENDAKAYA MAJJIGA PULUSU
You will find this Andhra dish only in South Indian homes and local restaurants. I have yet to come across it in any Indian eatery in the West. It is a simple dish, very much like the karhis of northern India. It is soupy; the yogurt in it is held together with a...