The Simplicity Of Fava Beans And Spanish Ham Recipes

THE SIMPLICITY OF FAVA BEANS AND SPANISH HAM

Steps:

• Bring a pan of water to a boil. Shell the beans. Very lightly salt the water and add the beans. Return the water to a boil, then decrease the heat so that they boil merrily for three or four minutes or until they are tender. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and age of your beans but generally they take less time than you might expect. Drain them and cool under running water.
• Pop the beans from their skins, unless they are very young and the size of a fingernail. This is a very pleasant way to spend ten minutes on a lazy afternoon. Place the pieces of ham, which should be in snippets about twice the size of a large postage stamp, on a serving plate.
• Make the dressing by adding a small pinch of salt to the sherry vinegar and letting it dissolve. Add half a teaspoon of mustard-no more-then whisk in the olive oil with a fork. Chop the parsley leaves quite finely and add them to the dressing. Lastly, a few grinds of pepper. Toss the beans gently in the dressing and set aside for twenty minutes or so (they are fine for several hours if it makes life easier).
• Scatter the beans over the ham and eat.

FAVA BEAN SALAD WITH JAMON AND FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Boil the fava beans until just tender, 2-3 minutes.
• Drain, rinse, and peel (skip the peeling if using edamame).
• In a serving bowl, combine the beans, escarole, ham, mint, and shallots. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and whisk to form a dressing.
• Add the dressing to the salad, and toss to combine.
• Taste, and add more salt or pepper if needed.
• Serve at once.

TAGLIATELLE WITH HAM AND FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• Bring six quarts salted water to boil for the tagliatelle. Steam the fava beans until barely tender. Set aside.
• Combine heavy cream, butter and ham in small saucepan and heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the fava beans and set aside.
• Cook the tagliatelle until al dente. Drain and mix with the ham sauce and serve additional Parmesan cheese separately.

SOPA DE HABAS (FAVA BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat; add fava beans, reduce heat to medium low, cover pot, and cook beans until tender, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the recado: Combine tomato, garlic, onion, salt and pepper, in a food processor and puree; set aside.
• In another saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat, add the recado and stir constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes; add beans, with their cooking liquid, saffron, and cumin.
• Cook until the beans break down, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.

SPANISH GREEN BEANS WITH HAM

Steps:

• Cook the beans, left whole, in boiling salted water for 5-6 minutes, until they are just tender but still with a little bit of bite.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the onions for 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.
• Add the garlic and ham and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
• Drain the beans, then add them to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper.