Cazuela Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss together the oil, chiles, thyme, garlic and some salt and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast until the oil is fragrant, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the shrimp, tossing with tongs to coat in the mixture. Roast until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove and drizzle with a splash of sherry vinegar and garnish with parsley. Serve with baguette slices.

Steps:

• If using banana leaves, soften them by gently heating each side, turning continuously, over an open gas burner until pliable, about 1 or 2 minutes. (If your banana leaves are already soft and pliable, you can skip this step.) Tuck leaves into a 2.5-liter baking dish, overlapping as needed to cover the bottom and sides, and trimming any pieces that go over the edge of the dish with a sharp pair of scissors. Grease the banana leaves, or 10 (8-ounce) ramekins with 1/2 tablespoon of softened butter. If using ramekins, arrange on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat in a large pot. Add the anise pods and 1 teaspoon salt, then add the sweet potato and boil for 10 minutes. Add the pumpkin and plantain, and boil for another 15 to 20 minutes, until everything is fork tender. (Adding these ingredients in batches ensures they cook evenly, and that the pumpkin, in particular, doesn't fall apart.) Transfer to a large mesh strainer, discard the anise pods, rinse with cold water and let drain fully.
• While the sweet potatoes boil, heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the coconut milk, eggs, brandy, and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, flour and remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
• Transfer sweet potato, pumpkin and plantain to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or a large mixing bowl if using a handheld electric mixer. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then add remaining 3 tablespoons of softened butter and blend on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add wet ingredients and blend to fully incorporate. Add dry ingredients and blend until mixture is silky smooth and resembles a loose pudding, about 2 minutes.
• Fold in raisins using a spatula, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or ramekins, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour (40 to 50 minutes if using ramekins). Test by poking the center with a toothpick or skewer; if it doesn't come out clean, bake for 5 to 10 more minutes. The cazuela should be firm with a golden top.
• Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to fully cool, about 30 minutes. Cazuela should separate easily from banana leaves or buttered ramekins, and either be eaten directly from the container, or flipped onto a plate. If you plan to unmold, turn the cazuela out onto a large rectangular platter, then peel off and discard the banana leaves, if using. Serve topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut or dark chocolate shavings, or a combination.

Steps:

• Cut the piece of beef into 6 large chunks (one per serving). Place the beef into a large saucepan; pour in the beef broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until nearly tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir the polenta into the stew along with the potatoes and onion. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Cut the pumpkin into 6, serving-sized pieces, and add to the stew along with the corn, carrot, bell pepper, celery, and leek; simmer until the vegetables are tender, adding more water if needed to barely cover. Stir in the oregano and paprika during the last 5 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into serving bowls, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line the bottom and sides of a 9 1/2-inch springform pan with greased waxed paper or parchment paper.
• In a small pot, combine 3/4 cup water, ginger, cinnamon, star anise and cloves. Boil for 5 minutes, strain and reserve liquid. Discard spices.
• In a large saucepan, bring three quarts of water to a boil. Add sweet potatoes and boil for 10 minutes. Add taro and boil for 5 minutes, then add pumpkin and boil for 20 minutes. Drain and press through a food mill.
• Using an electric mixer, beat together coconut milk, eggs, sugar, salt, flour and reserved liquid. Combine with pureed vegetables and mix well by hand. Pour into pan and bake for 1 1/2 hours. Cool for 20 minutes in pan. Serve warm.