Spanish Gypsy Stew | An Iconic Spanish Classic

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

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

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

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

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

After simmering for 20 minutes remove the lid, at this poing 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!