Favas à Algarvia

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried fava beans 2 cups (400g) dried fava beans
• 4 slices of bacon, diced 4 slices of bacon, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 8g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Soak the dried fava beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, bay leaves, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Add the soaked fava beans and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until the fava beans are tender.
6. 6.
   Once the fava beans are cooked, remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Favas à Algarvia hot, garnished with crispy bacon and fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fava beans — Soaking the dried fava beans overnight helps to soften them and reduce the cooking time. Make sure to drain and rinse them before using.
• Bacon — Choose a high-quality bacon with a good balance of fat and meat for the best flavor. Crisping the bacon before adding it to the stew adds a delightful texture and smoky taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian or vegan version, simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Serve the Favas à Algarvia with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the cooked fava beans with a fork or blend a portion of the stew before serving.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini to customize the dish to your liking.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day, allowing the flavors to meld even further.

Serving advice

Serve the Favas à Algarvia as a main course, accompanied by crusty bread and a fresh green salad. It can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in individual bowls or a large serving dish, allowing the vibrant colors of the fava beans and vegetables to shine through.