Cocido (Spanish Stew)

Ingredients

• 4 liters water
• 0.5 kg salt pork (cebón)
• 1 whole good marrow bone
• chorizo
• jamón
• carrots
• 1 whole hen
• leek
• parsley
• turnips
• onions
• saffron threads
• potatoes

Instructions

1. Bring four liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the salt pork (cebón), marrow bone, chorizo, jamón, carrots, hen, leek, parsley, turnips, and onions. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for about four hours, skimming foam from the surface regularly and seasoning as needed.
2. If using potatoes, cook them separately—the author notes they can whiten the broth if cooked with the rest. When the stew is nearly done, add saffron threads if desired; they will give the broth a beautiful golden color. The cocido is ready when all vegetables and meats are very tender and the flavors have melded into a rich, savory broth.