The last week has certainly seen a change in the weather, with cooling temperatures making it clear that our long, hot summer is finally over. It is at this time of the year that we all love to dive under our blankets by a roasting fire and indulge in a hearty stew.
However, if you’re a big fan of Spanish food, you don’t need to miss out on a warm bowl of something delicious. Nor do you need scorching temperatures to enjoy some of the country’s finest dishes.
In fact, some of its best – and lesser known – meals are perfect for fresh autumn nights, including cocido madrileno. This dish, known simply as cocido, incorporates some of Spain’s most delicious ingredients, which is why it is among its most popular cuisines, although you might not have tried it before if you tend to visit during the baking summer months.
It includes chickpeas, garlic, onion, root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, cabbage, bay leaves, thin pasta, Spanish chorizo and a variety of meats, from which it derives its strong flavour. Beef, pork and chicken all tend to be used, along with blood sausage.
Like all good hearty stews, cocido takes several hours to make, letting the juices stew and the flavour develop.
This recipe is typical of Madrid and tourists to the Spanish city can find it served in many restaurants here. However, different variations of cocido can be found around the country, using their local ingredients instead.
Or if you can’t make it to Spain soon, why not try to make your own with Pure Spain helping you to source some of the best ingredients outside of the Mediterranean?