Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Spanish Gypsy Stew | An Iconic Spanish Classic

Spanish Gypsy Stew | An Iconic Spanish Classic

 Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork January 11, 2021


This Spanish Gypsy Stew, is one of Spain´s most iconic dishes. Loaded with so many different flavors, very easy to make and comes together in about 40 minutes. The perfect dish for any occasion, but extra special during a cold winter´s day.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
  • 2 slices baguette (1/2 inch / 1.27 cm thick each)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 8 raw blanched almonds
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 8 green beans
  • 8 oz fresh pumpkin 250 grams
  • 1 pear
  • 1 large tomato
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas 290 grams (200 grams drained)
  • 1 cup canned white beans 290 grams (200 grams drained)
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.30 grams
  • 1/4 tsp saffron threads .17 grams
  • 3 cups vegetable broth 780 ml
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 15 ml
  • 1 sprig fresh mint
  • sea salt & black pepper


    Instructions

    1. Roughly chop 1/2 onion, thinly slice 1 peeled carrot, cut the ends off 8 green beans and cut them into 2 inch (5.08 cm) pieces, cut 8 ounces of fresh pumpkin into 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) pieces, cut 1 peeled pear into 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) pieces as well, finely grate 1 large tomato and rinse 1 cup of canned chickpeas & 1 cup of canned white beans under cold running water

    2. Heat a stock pot with a medium-high heat and add in 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, after 1 minute add in 2 slices of baguette, 2 peeled cloves of garlic and 8 raw blanched almonds, mix the garlic & almonds with the olive oil, after 1 minute remove the garlic & almonds and flip the slices of baguette to fry the other side, after another minute remove the fried baguette slices and reserve with the almonds & garlic

    3. Using the same pan with the same heat add in the chopped onions, sliced carrots, pieces of green beans and the chopped pumpkin, mix with the olive oil, after 5 to 6 minutes and the onions are translucent and the rest of the veggies are lightly sauteed, add in the grated tomato, cook for 1 minute, then add in the chopped pear, give it a quick mix and then add in the 1 cup of chickpeas and 1 cup white beans, season with 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika, sea salt & black pepper, gently mix together, then add in 3 cups of vegetable broth, 1/4 tsp saffron threads and a sprig of fresh mint, give it a quick mix and bring to a boil

    4. Meanwhile, add the slices of fried baguette, fried almonds, fried garlic and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar into a mortar, using a pestle pound down on the ingredients until you form a paste
    5. Once the broth comes to a boil add in the paste, give it a quick mix, place a lid on the stock pot and lower the fire to a low-medium heat
    6. After simmering for 20 minutes remove the lid, at this point the broth should be much thicker and all the flavors have come together, remove from the heat, transfer into shallow bowls and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, serve next to a crusty baguette, enjoy!


For more directions watch the video



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Friday, January 9, 2026

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 9th January 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 9th January 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Enjoy some good music here on Words & Brush, it's your free choice so please post any of your favorite music of all genres!

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Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Spain’s Most Underrated Rice Recipe | Arroz con Bacalao a la Riojana

Spain’s Most Underrated Rice Recipe | Arroz con Bacalao a la Riojana

This Rioja-style Spanish rice, known as arroz con bacalao a la Riojana, is one of Spain’s most underrated rice dishes. It’s filled with flavors, easy to make, and done in about 40 minutes using just one pan. Serve it next to a garden salad, crunchy baguette, and a bottle of Spanish Rioja for a delicious meal.




Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
  • 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
  • 6 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine 60 ml
  • 1/2 tbsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 4 grams
  • 3 large tomatoes (finely grated) 1 cup / 240 grams
  • 3 cups fish broth 720 ml
  • 1/4 tsp saffron threads 0.17 grams
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup short-grain rice 190 grams
  • 2 cod fillets 7 oz / 200 grams each
  • sea salt & black pepper
  • lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish


Instructions

  1. Heat a 12-inch (30 cm) paella pan (or any other type of large frying pan) with a medium heat, and add in the olive oil

  2. After a couple of minutes, add in the chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper, and mix continuously, after 4 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sautéed, add in the white wine and paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the grated tomatoes, and season with salt & pepper, mix together and then simmer

  3. Once the grated tomatoes have slightly thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes, add in the fish broth, saffron, and bay leaf, then turn it up to a high heat and give it a gentle mix

  4. When it comes to a boil, add in the rice, give it one final mix so everything is evenly distributed, then simmer

  5. In the meantime, add the cod fillets over some paper towels and pat dry, then season with salt & pepper, and cut each fillet into small bite-sized pieces

  6. After simmering the rice for 10 minutes (which in my case was 8 minutes shy of the rice being cooked through), lower the fire to a low-medium heat and add in the pieces of cod, all evenly spread around, and then gently push down on each one so they're well integrated into the rice, simmer for another 7 to 8 minutes or until the rice and fish are just cooked through

  7. Remove the pan from the heat and cover with a dishcloth, let it rest for a couple of minutes, then uncover and garnish with lemon wedges and chopped parsley, enjoy!


For more instructions watch the video:






Enjoy! 

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Friday, January 2, 2026

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 2nd January 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 2nd January 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Enjoy some good music here on Words & Brush, it's your free choice so please post any of your favorite music of all genres!

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Thursday, January 1, 2026

Ring in 2026, January Open thread

 


 


 


Happy New Year!  Leaving all the stuff behind and may it be a great New Year. May it be a year of peace, love, health and wellness with spiritual growth.



 






 Ah a new hope, a new beginning.  So much confetti everywhere and the tree is still up.  A Happy New Year to you and all.  Take that break today let the day go by.  













          Did you make any resolutions?  This will be the year to finish my book and get to publishing it with illustrations. Start that new job search and make the change you are seeking.
Perhaps sleeping in before the new week and usual routine.

  Maybe be more healthy, try something new,  learn a new language or work on that project that's been simmering for years. Get a new degree or certificate for self enrichment or for a career change for the better.   Be more creative.  Lots of us don't realize we are being creative.  Not everyone specializes in just art or writing, or poetry and so forth. 










 Finish that project in progress and remember finish that piece strong whether a story, a book, an artwork or anything else that suits your creative fancy.  We might be moved in by now at our new home, and I am looking at learning how to make pasta, maybe take a cooking class how to make sushi as I would prefer a chef I can ask questions and not just watch an online class.   


Try Tai Chi, lots of great benefits with body, mind, and spirit. 













 

As winter settles in, many days just seem like the same day with the greyness and the snow, and the cold sky with barren tree branches reaching the sky.
























                Remember, this is a new year and everyone on W&B and beyond wishes you the very best year and it's a new beginning for everyone to start afresh.  Kick some old habits. 





Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Broccoli Cauliflower Soup

 Broccoli Cauliflower Soup

By Henny Shor, Jerusalem Post, December 6, 2025


Broccoli soup (photo credit: HENNY SHOR)

I like things simple and delicious, and there is no need to compromise on either. One of the reasons I love this soup is that it uses ingredients you can easily find in the frozen vegetable section, which means almost no prep at all. It comes together quickly and warms the body and soul as soon as it passes your lips. Feel free to be creative and add in any spices or flavors you enjoy.

Yields 4-5 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 400 gr. frozen broccoli florets (half bag)
  • 400 gr. frozen cauliflower florets (half bag)
  • 1 cup frozen baby carrots
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 cube frozen crushed ginger
  • ½ cup coconut milk or coconut cream
  • ½ tsp. ground ginger (optional)
  • ¼ tsp. turmeric (optional)
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. teriyaki sauce
  • 4 to 5 cups water to cover

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot and sauté the chopped onion for a few minutes until softened. Add the garlic and crushed ginger and cook for another minute. Pour in all the vegetables, spices, teriyaki sauce, and coconut milk, then add enough water to cover everything.

Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for about an hour until the vegetables are soft. Using an immersion blender or a food processor fitted with the S blade, blend the soup until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.



Enjoy! 

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