Puchero Andaluz
Puchero Andaluz is a traditional, hearty stew from Andalusia, Spain. It's a slow-cooked dish featuring a variety of meats (beef, chicken, pork), chickpeas, and root vegetables, simmered in a flavorful broth. It's often served in two parts: the broth as a first course, followed by the meats and vegetables as the main.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Dried chickpeas(soaked overnight)
- 500 g Beef shank
- 500 g Chicken pieces (thighs and legs)
- 250 g Pork belly or shoulder
- 1 piece Ham bone or salted pork ribs
- 1 piece Pork spine bone (optional)
- 1 piece Beef soup bone with marrow
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 2 medium Turnips(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 1 medium Leek(cleaned and roughly chopped)
- 2 large Potatoes(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 1/4 head Green cabbage(cut into wedges)
- 4-6 Fresh mint sprigs
- enough to cover Water
- to taste Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the soaked chickpeas and drain. In a large stockpot, combine the beef shank, chicken pieces, pork belly, ham bone, pork spine bone (if using), and beef soup bone. Add enough water to cover all ingredients by about 2 inches.
💡 Tip: If using salted pork bones, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. - 2
Bring the pot to a rolling boil over high heat. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for about 2 hours, or until the meats are starting to become tender.
💡 Tip: A slow, gentle simmer is key to tenderizing the meats and developing the broth's flavor. - 3
Add the drained chickpeas, carrots, turnips, leek, and potatoes to the pot. Ensure everything is submerged in water; add more hot water if necessary. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the chickpeas and vegetables are tender.
💡 Tip: Some cooks add the potatoes later to prevent them from becoming too mushy. - 4
About 20 minutes before the end of cooking, add the green cabbage wedges.
- 5
Once everything is tender, carefully remove the meats, vegetables, and chickpeas from the broth. Strain the broth into a separate pot. Season the broth with salt to taste (be cautious if using salted pork products).
💡 Tip: The broth can be served as a first course, often with noodles or rice, and garnished with fresh mint. - 6
Arrange the cooked meats and vegetables on a large serving platter. Serve the meats and vegetables as the main course, with the seasoned broth on the side.
💡 Tip: The meats can be shredded or served in larger pieces, according to preference.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality and variety of meats are crucial for a rich flavor.
- ✓Using salted pork bones adds a distinct depth of flavor, but adjust salt accordingly.
- ✓Puchero is often considered a dish that improves in flavor when made a day ahead.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some recipes include pig's trotters or ears for added richness.
- A small piece of cured pork fat (tocino) can be added for extra flavor.
- Some versions add noodles or rice to the broth.