Spicy Chorizo and Potato Casserole

Wonderful Spanish Chorizo

Bacon is my favorite pork, but a close second is chorizo. Spicy, smoky, and full of flavor, this tender delight packs the right punch in a potato casserole. Indian is my favorite ethnic food. I like the spicy combination of cardamom and red pepper in a good lamb biryani or the creamy punch of a nice dhal. Although chorizo doesn’t have the same combination of flavors, nor the heat to allow me to “see through time” as Lisa Simpson put it so aptly in the episode “Homer and Apu” http://youtu.be/l8xlbyr0JZU, anything with the distinct sausage is a close second for me.

Chorizo is made from pork and garlic and gets its spice from wonderful smoked paprika. I can’t get enough of smoked paprika. It’s supposed to aid your digestion. And we all know how good garlic is for you, so maybe chorizo can be considered a health food. That’s what I kept thinking after each bite of the wonderful chorizo-potato casserole I had for dinner last night. My kids thought it was too spicy, but that’s okay because it just means more for me. And since potatoes are gluten free, maybe this is a perfectly healthy breakfast or dinner treat.

Happy (spicy) Cooking!
Geoff

Spicy Chorizo and Potato Casserole

 4 large baking potatoes, sliced thin

1 large onion, sliced thin

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup grated manchego cheese

6 chorizo sausages

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Layer the potatoes and onions in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Pour the tomatoes on top. Sprinkle on the spices. Sprinkle the flour on top. Pour the broth over all. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Lay the chorizo on top. (We only had four when we made our casserole, but it really needs six.) Cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour or until the potatoes are soft. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. What this really needed was a couple cut-up roasted poblanos. Maybe next time.  Makes 6 servings.