Croquetas—or croquettes, in the original French—are a favorite in tapas bars and homes throughout Spain. With a rich olive oil béchamel sauce as the binder, you can use whatever leftovers you have on hand—serrano ham, rice and vegetables, even fish. I’m partial to chicken and will poach two or three thighs in chicken broth for great depth of flavor. The peas are not traditional, but they add another layer of flavor and nutrients.
Makes 10 croquetas
This dish translates to cod—the national fish of Portugal—in the style of the olive miller. Legend has it that this preparation was created to celebrate the early olive oil harvest. Traditionally it’s made with dried salt cod that’s been rehydrated, but I’m using cod tenderloin (any thick white fish fillet, fresh or frozen, lends itself to the prep). The fish is enhanced with batatas a murro—smashed potatoes. It’s often served with a raw garlic topping, perfect for fans of the “stinking rose.”
Serves 4
This is a traditional cold tomato soup, often made with plum tomatoes, but don’t confuse it with gazpacho. The tomatoes are the stars of this show. It takes mere minutes to whip up.
Serves 4
Rich avocados are puréed with traditional guacamole ingredients for a luscious cream. Instead of chips, serve with cold poached shrimp for a satisfying tapa or even a meal.
Serves 4 as an appetizer, 2 as a main course
Migas is Spanish for breadcrumbs, and this dish makes the most of a leftover loaf when sautéed and served with chorizo, the famed Spanish sausage. First developed as a breakfast dish in Andalucía, it’s popular throughout Spain for lunch and even dinner, and variations abound. This is the version I cooked with Juande de Dios of García-Molina, producer of this quarter’s medium selection.
Serves 4
Caramelizing onions is a labor of love—time consuming, but you can do other jobs in the kitchen while keeping an eye on them, and the taste is worth every minute. Maximize the effort by doubling or tripling the amount and save the rest for other dishes. Piquillo peppers are available online and in some stores, and come roasted, skinned, and jarred—they’re also great on sandwiches.
Yields 2 servings
This dish takes its name from the exquisitely sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry. Pork tenderloin is an extremely lean cut that will stay juicy with my two-step sear-and-bake method. Thinly slice any leftovers and pile on a crusty roll for lunch the next day.
Serves 4
This twist on tuna salad forgoes mayo for creamy, nutrient-dense avocado (the avocado should be ripe but still somewhat firm). This recipe is also great made with grilled tuna—the next time a fillet is on the dinner menu, consider making a little extra to enjoy this dish for lunch the next day.
Yields 2 servings
The sherry intensifies the natural sweetness of the carrots and creates a rich glaze.
Serves 4
A silken purée of fava beans served alongside braised wild chicory is another Pugliese classic, one we enjoyed at Ai 2 Ghiottoni in Bari with the folks from Fratelli Ruggiero. While it’s possible to find fava beans (dried or frozen) in the US, wild chicory is elusive—dandelion greens are a great stand-in and available at many greengrocers. Note: This recipe includes directions for soaking and peeling the skin from dried favas, but some purveyors sell them already peeled—you might see them labeled as broad beans. If you love chickpeas, they make a tasty substitute.
Serves 4
This is the second family recipe Duccio shared with the Club. Considered a “white” cacciatore because it doesn’t have tomatoes, this one-pot prep was traditionally used for making rabbit. It is succulent and flavorful. Taggiasca olives are available in some gourmet food shops and online; you can also substitute your favorite fruity brined olives.
Serves 4
Millefoglie, the Italian version of the French millefeuille, is extremely popular throughout the country. For chocolate lovers, I’m including a variation made with thin layers of chocolate in place of the puff pastry. Both get filled with a rich and creamy sweet cheese filling. The filling ingredients yield enough for either 8 pastry or 8 chocolate millefoglie; if you’re making both, double the quantities of the filling ingredients.
Serves 8