My Escudella Recipe Plus Catalan Foodie Hamper Giveaway

Regular readers will know that I used to live in Gran Canaria and whilst I was there I fell in love with the Spanish and Catalan cuisine. It is healthy, full of flavours and dishes that keep you wanting more!

I was recently asked if I would like to talk about Catalonia. We are due to fly into Barcelona soon so this has got me thinking about one of Europe's most beautiful city that is overflowing with culture. But being the foodie that I am, food plays a big part in my travels. I love to try new foods and discover new cuisines. The cuisine in Catalan is very similar to Spanish cuisine. They use similar ingredients which I love.

Picture courtesy of Inntravel

Today I thought that I would share with you some of my favourite dishes and also share with you a recipe that I have created using some delicious, chorizo style sausage that came all the way from Catalonia. I am also excited to tell you that one lucky Hijacked By Twins reader can also win their very own foodie hamper of artisan foods direct from Catalonia!

The meal pictured above it a dish that would be a perfect lunch. Fresh bread that has been gently grilled topped with a variety of vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, peppers and artichokes then topped with olive oil and deliciously fresh anchovies. This would go down a treat with an ice cold glass of either a local cerveza or rose wine from a local vineyard. I simply adore being able to sit by the sea and eat while basking in the Mediterranean sun, what bliss!

As well as the many sea front eateries Barcelona also is the proud owner of 22 Michelin star restaurants. So you know that whether you are visiting Sagrada Familia, the iconic Gaudi designed church, shopping down La Rambla, or watching the Magic Fountain of Montjuic you are guaranteed to find a restaurant that everyone will love.

Today I am sharing with you my version of an Escudella a Catalan stew. For my version I have used root vegetables and a chorizo style Catalan sausage. This is what I did...

My Escudella

Ingredients

250g carrots, sliced

1 lg red onion, chopped

125g parsnips, sliced

100g green beans, trimmed and cut in half

200g swede

600g new potatoes, cut into quarters

2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes

200g Somaia extra sausage or whole chorizo, cut into thick slices

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper

Method

Pre heat the oven to 200C if cooking quickly or 150C if slow cooking

1 - Place all of the vegetables, smoked paprika and sausage into a casserole dish and pour over the chopped tomatoes

2 - Mix everything together, cover and place in the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes if cooking at a higher temperature. If you are slow cooking then it will need about 4 hours.

3 - Once cooked season with salt and pepper to taste

This dish is so easy to make but is so full of flavour. The sausage does all the hard work with regards to flavours. You simply add it to the dish and let it add the perfect amount of spice to the dish. This can be served as a main meal, as a tapas dish or as a side order with meat or even fish. This recipe made enough escudella for the five of us to have it as a main course then as a side portion the following day. If you want to bulk it out even more you can add pre soaked beans to the stew.

Now onto my giveaway!

Inntravel are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a Catalan, artisan foodie hamper like the one pictured below. I have only included one of the products in this recipe but cannot wait to use some of the others and when I do I will be sure to share with you my recipe! To find out more about the cuisine in Catalan pop over and take a look at Inntravel's blog post about the Top Ten of Catalan Cuisine or visit the Catalunya tourist board.

The hamper contains:

• 1 Somaia extra sausage as featured in this recipe
• 1 box of Fesols de Santa Pau beans
• 1 bottle of truffle oil
• 1 box of Especialitats Cobo wafers and biscotti
• 1 jar of grape marmalade

To be in with the chance of winning simply complete all of the mandatory sections on the Rafflecopter below and as many of the optional extras as you wish.

Terms and Conditions

• Giveaway only open to UK residents
• All mandatory options must be completed
• Hijacked By Twins cannot be held responsible for the prize once the winner has been selected and their details passed on to Inntravel
• Inntravel will be sending out the prize once the winner has provided me with their details
• No other prize is available and cannot be exchanged for cash
• If the selected winner does not make contact within 14 days a new winner will be selected
• The winner will be notified via email

Good luck and enjoy x

a Rafflecopter giveaway