Bring stock, saffron and sprigs of thyme to a simmer in a medium size pot. Keep at a simmer until ready to use.
Heat oil in a large flat bottom skillet over medium high heat. Quickly sear both sides of the vegetable: 2 minutes per side for the yellow squash and zucchini; 4 minutes per side for the eggplant. Set aside.
In the same skillet add chorizo, onion and bell pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent and starting to brown.
Add tomato paste, garlic, paprika and cayenne and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add rice to skillet, continuing to stir, toasting the rice for 2 minutes. Add the orange zest, juice, saffron and chicken stock.
When the liquid boils, reduce heat to low. Stir the rice mixture frequently for 5 minutes. Stop stirring and allow rice to cook for 20 minutes. DO NOT STIR.
After 20 minutes, nestle the seared vegetables into the paella, cover the skillet and turn off the heat. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Preheat oven to 400F. Roast the sweet potatoes until fully cooked & very soft – approximately 45 minutes or longer depending on the size. Cool to room temperature.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the sliced dried figs, vinegar, salt & pepper, and minced ginger. Lightly toss. Allow the figs to marinate for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
In a skillet over set on medium high, heat the banana leave pieces just until they become flexible.
Lay the banana leaves on a work surface.
Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. (If using smaller sweet potatoes, split the sweet potatoes open & press lightly to flatten.) Place a piece of sweet potato on each banana leaf.
Distribute the fig mixture over the sweet potatoes.
Distribute the cashews over the sweet potatoes.
Place a piece of butter on top of each sweet potato. Fold up the banana leaf to enclose the sweet potato. Tie with a piece of string to secure.
Place the sweet potato packages in a broad skillet in a single layer. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the skillet – approximately 1/8 inch deep.
Cover the skillet with a lid or with aluminum foil. Heat the skillet to gently steam the sweet potato packages – approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the packages from the skillet. Cut the string and unfold on dinner plates keeping the sweet potato and any juices in the center of the banana leaf.
Sprinkle the minced Serrano chile (optional) and the crème fraiche & crumbled cheese over the sweet potato. Garnish with a wedge of fresh lime.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions: dried corn husks soaked in water until flexible or parchment paper.
Cut the ends off each zucchini and cut them in half lengthways. Then, cut them into strips and then into 1” chunks.
Peel the eggplant, and then cut it the same way as you did the zucchini.
Cut the ends off the pepper and remove the seeds. Cut into thin strips.
Cut the tomatoes in half, remove seeds, and cut into quarters.
Peel and smash the garlic.
Peel the onions and chop them finely.
The Ratatouille
Turn burner onto low.
Measure and add the oil to a large saucepan; allow oil to heat up.
Add onions into the large saucepan. Cook them over low heat for about 10 minutes, until the onions are soft and lightly browned.
Measure and add the tomato paste to the onions, stir together.
Measure and add the vegetables, garlic, seasoning, herbs (except basil), salt and pepper to the onions in the pan. Stir everything well.
Turn heat up to medium. Cook the ratatouille (stirring occasionally) on medium heat for about 3 minutes. Then turn down the heat, so that it is bubbling gently.
Put a lid onto the pan. Lift the lid and stir it every now and then. Cook the ratatouille for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and cook it for 5 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in the basil.
Serve into shallow bowls and garnish with basil. Enjoy!
