Comforting Stews of the World
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When the weather outside our kitchen window is frightful -- Old Man Winter unleashing cold drizzle, sleet, and snow (yes it snows in Oklahoma and Texas where we live) -- we fill out kitchen
with the restorative aromas of substantial stews bubbling on the stove. These are full-meal stews, needing only a salad and a light dessert (check out our recipes for Winter Salads and
Winter Desserts). These stews have the intense flavors that we crave when the days are dreary.
Goulash, known as gulyás or shepherd's stew, is the national dish of Hungary. It calls for the best-quality sweet paprika that you can find or afford. If your paprika is more than 6 months old, you'd better invest in a new jar or tin as it will have lost its "punch." Poppy red paprika adds the color, aroma, and flavor to the stew. Adding the noodles at the end, make it the perfect one-pot meal. Sometimes it's garnished with dollops of sour cream or plain yogurt.
If you're not acquainted with monkfish, you be glad to discover this versatile fish for its wonderful, firm, and tasty white flesh. You can also use grouper (another all-purpose fish with a pleasing meaty texture and mild flavor) or red snapper (a great firm, white-fleshed fish with a lovely flavor) with equally excellent results.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above) |
