Andalusian Spinach Food

ESPINACAS CON GARBANZOS (SPINACH AND CHICKPEAS)

Steps:

• Coat a large saucepan with extra virgin olive oil (approx. 2 tbsp) and heat to medium high
• Before the oil gets too hot, add the spinach (in batches if necessary)
• Sauté the spinach until just wilted and remove to strain in a colander
• Re-coat the pan with olive oil and add in the bread cubes and raw almonds. Fry until the bread and almonds are browned and crispy on each side
• Add the chopped garlic, cumin, cayenne and black pepper and sauté for a couple of minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and turning brown
• Transfer the ingredients to a blender/food processor and add the sherry vinegar
• Blend the ingredients together until you have a thick paste (you can add a few tablespoons of water if needed to blend easier, but don't over blend and make it gooey)
• Return the paste to the saucepan and add your garbanzo beans and tomato sauce
• Stir gently until the chickpeas are fully coated by the sauce and add a bit of water to thin things out
• Add the spinach and stir gently until it is evenly incorporated and hot
• Season with salt and pepper
• Once plated, drizzle a swirl of extra virgin olive oil on top of each dish, then sprinkle a small amount of smoked Spanish paprika on top
• Enjoy!

ANDALUSIAN CHICKPEA AND SPINACH SOUP

Steps:

• Drain the chickpeas and combine with 1 quart fresh water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add salt to taste and continue to simmer until tender, 30 minutes to an hour.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy soup pot and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 2 of the garlic cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, paprika and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes cook down to a fragrant sauce, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the chickpeas with their liquid, the potatoes, wine, more salt to taste, pepper, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining garlic, the saffron and the spinach and simmer another 5 minutes. Add freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust seasoning, and serve.

ANDALUSIAN SPINACH

Steps:

• Wash spinach; remove large stems; do not dry; transfer to a Dutch oven; cover and cook over medium heat, stirring several times, until spinach has wilted, about 5 minutes, drain.
• Heat oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat; add garlic, cook until soft, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
• Remove garlic from oil and set aside.
• Add bread to oil; cook until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes; drain on paper towels.
• Combine garlic and half of the toast triangles in a food processor fitted with a metal blade; puree.
• Return bread mixture to pan, stir in paprika and cumin; add spinach and chickpeas; cook over medium heat, stirring often, until heated through, about 5 minutes; season with a few drops of vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
• Add additional water if mixture becomes too dry.
• Place mixture in a warmed serving dish and garnish with remaining toast triangles.