Ultimate Cocido Madrileño Recipe: 5-Step Guide to Spanish Comfort Food
Cocido Madrileño: A centuries-old Spanish stew, symbolizing warmth & tradition. Hearty blend of chickpeas, meats, & veggies, enjoyed in 3 courses. A taste of Madrid's history on every plate.
Ingredients
For the chickpeas:
- 1 lb Dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
- 1 Onion, quartered
- 1 Carrot, chopped
- 1 Bay leaf
For the meat and bones:
- 2 lbs Beef brisket or chuck roast
- 1 lb Pork shoulder or boneless ham
- 1 Chorizo
- 1 lb Morcilla (blood sausage)
- 1 lb Beef marrow bones
- 1 Ham hock
- 1 Chicken carcass or a whole chicken
For the vegetables:
- 2 Large potatoes, quartered
- 1 Head of cabbage, quartered
- 2 Carrots, chopped
- 1 Turnip, quartered
- 1 Parsnip, quartered
For the soup:
- Fideo noodles (angel hair pasta)
Instructions
- Soak the chickpeas: Place the dried chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Prepare the meat and bones: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the beef, pork, chorizo, morcilla, beef marrow bones, ham hock, and chicken carcass. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
- Add chickpeas and vegetables: Add the soaked chickpeas, onion, carrot, and bay leaf to the pot. Simmer for another hour.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnip, and parsnip to the pot. Cook for an additional hour, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Make the soup: Remove the meat, vegetables, and chickpeas from the pot. Strain the broth and reserve. Cook the fideo noodles according to package directions in the reserved broth.
- Serve: Traditionally, cocido is served in three courses:Sopa de cocido: The noodle soup made with the reserved broth.Garbanzos y verduras: The chickpeas and vegetables served together.Carne: The meats are served separately.
Notes
More tips:
- Consider toasting chickpeas in a dry skillet before soaking for a richer flavor.
- Cocido is a hearty dish that can be enjoyed alone or with crusty bread.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Some people add other vegetables like green beans or cauliflower.