Our Casual Spanish Dinner Menu

NOURISH Evolution community member Karen dipped into our archives to make this cozy braised chicken dish, using local chicken and tomatoes she’d canned at the end of the summer. We think you’ll love it, too, especially paired with a simple salad and side. It’s delicious for a casual dinner with friends, and any leftovers will provide tasty a tasty lunch or supper later in the week.

To start:

You don’t need to get too fancy. Fresh salad greens tossed with our Go-To Vinaigrette will deliver maximum flavor for little effort. Top with shaved Manchego, a Spanish sheep’s milk cheese.

Main event:

Smoked paprika and sherry vinegar (you can sub red wine vinegar in a pinch) lend Spanish flair to our easy Braised Chicken and Chickpeas  with Smoked Paprika. Even better, the whole thing comes together in less than an hour. Prep the salad and side dish while the chicken braises.

On the side:

You’ll want a loaf of crusty bread to sop up every bite of the chicken. A sidecar of Spicy Sauteed Rainbow Chard with Golden Raisins adds extra color to the plate.

For dessert:

We’re celebrating NOURISH Evolution’s first birthday this week, and you can join the fun by making our Spiced Pumpkin Harvest Bundt Cake with Pecans. Enjoy it after this supper, and nibble on it throughout the week–tuck a slice into everyone’s lunch box for a special treat! (OK, I admit, I’d probably have a slice for breakfast with a cup of coffee.)

To sip:

Pick up a bottle of Spanish red Rioja or a syrah to complement this menu’s bold flavors. Want to know your own wine personality? Take this quiz!

Go-to Vinaigrette

People are often shocked when they see how easy it is to make this homemade vinaigrette recipe. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients using these general ratios. Try swapping the garlic and white wine vinegar for shallots and champagne vinegar, for instance, or even ginger and rice wine vinegar. The jar serves as both shaker and storage container. No need for a bowl and a whisk — or store-bought salad dressing.

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Fennel, Red Onion & Blood Orange Salad with Miso-Orange Vinaigrette

I dare you to attach the word “deprivation” to this salad. The bitter blood orange, the earthy miso, the crunchy fennel, the hit of sweet juice and the bite of arugula all come together in a festival of flavors and textures.

fennel-blood-orange-miso-vinaigrette-salad-recipe
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (not blood orange)
2 tablespoons white miso paste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
1/2 pound arugula
2 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1 small red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
2 blood oranges, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Shake together orange juice, miso, oil, sugar, ginger and a pinch of salt and pepper in a tight-sealing jar.

Toss together arugula, fennel, mint and onion. Drizzle dressing over top and toss well. Divide mixture among four plates. Arrange orange sections and pine nuts on top.

Serves 4