The pandemic hit not only the health of families, but their economy as well. Thousands of them have lost their sources of income, and food banks, parishes and NGOs are stepping up to help.
There are people who help by buying food for them. There are others who help by cooking for them. That's because not all poor people have access to a kitchen, for example, those who live in the streets. The idea to offer these people good hot meals led to the publication of this cookbook, “Cocinar para otros,” in English “Cooking for others.” Journalist Paloma García Ovejero came up with the idea, and Susana Pérez, author of the website webosfritos.es, provided the recipes. The goal is to promote solidarity by encouraging people to cook for their neighbors in need.
PALOMA GARCÍA OVEJERO
Journalist
“The world changes thanks to small people doing small things in small places. We firmly believe cooking for others can be one of those little things. Even if it doesn't change the world, it can take away someone's hunger. I can assure you that whoever receives your plate of hot food or the sandwich you prepared, or that Tupperware full of salad—that person's day changes.”
SUSANA PÉREZ MARTÍNEZ
Chef – www.webosfritos.es
“We decided the recipes had to meet four requirements. The first was a low budget. Second, each portion had to meet the hydrate, protein and vegetable needs. Third, it had to be easy to transport. Fourth, it had to be easy to prepare quickly and in large quantities in case it had to be reheated.”
It includes 20 simple, complete, homemade Spanish recipes, from a delicious bowl of lentils with veggies and chorizo to pea soup with eggs. It even includes recipes for what could be called “emergency meals,” those prepared with whatever's left and lots of creativity.
SUSANA PÉREZ MARTÍNEZ
Chef – www.webosfritos.es
“What's crucial with this type of recipe is being imaginative and being able to convert almost any leftovers into fantastic meals. It's also important to be able to make the best seasoning out of what's available. You'd be surprised by how good a baked potato can taste when you combine it with whatever's left in your refrigerator.”
“Cocinar para otros” can be downloaded for free, though its authors suggest making a donation to Caritas. The book is a burst of creative solidarity in difficult times, like during a pandemic. It's a project with the potential to inspire similar initiatives beyond Spain.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
