Index of the recipe of broad beans catalan style
The recipe for broad beans Catalan style is another of my lifelong classics. This particular version was taught to me in 1988 by Mrs. Rosita, the wife of the farmer in El Prat where I always bought fresh beans in season. I keep a precious memory of those days and, above all, of how she transmitted this recipe to me with so much affection and detail.
Catalan-style broad beans are one of those spoon dishes that smell of home, of slow cooking, of Sundays with the family. It is a recipe that accepts many variations: you can change the type of meat, add fennel, aniseed, even make it only with vegetables if you prefer a lighter version. But I assure you that there are few variations like the ones made by Mrs. Rosita… few.
When I buy fava beans to make this dish, I usually buy about 10 kg with pods, since peeled they are less than half. And as we love them at home, I take the opportunity to prepare them in quantity and freeze portions. My children are crazy about them, and so is my husband! They could be eating Catalan beans for three days straight without complaining.
This stew is pure tradition: a dish full of flavor, with a rich texture and a balance of ingredients that makes it one of the most popular and beloved Catalan recipes. If you’ve ever wondered how to make Catalan-style broad beans, read on because I’ll tell you step by step.
.
Video recipe of broad beans catalan style
Enjoy the step-by-step video and you will see that making fava beans Catalan style is easier than it looks, and the result is spectacular!
.
Recipe information
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Servings: 4-5 persons
Difficulty: High
Category: Main dish / Single dish
Origin: Traditional Catalan cuisine
.
Ingredients broad beans catalan style (4/5 persons)
4-5 kg fresh broad beans with pods (1 kg already peeled)
4 fresh sausages
1 black sausage (200 g)
100 g of Iberian salted bacon
1 onion
1 ripe tomato
4-5 green garlic
50 g lard
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
½ small glass of white wine
4 bay leaves
Fresh mint sprigs
1 small glass of water
.
How to make Catalan beans step by step
Peel the beans and set aside.
Cut the garlic into small pieces and set aside.
Crush the onion and tomato, and place them in separate bowls.
Cut the sausages into pieces and the black sausage into cubes (after peeling it).
Chop the Iberian bacon into small pieces.
In a large casserole, heat the lard and a drizzle of olive oil.
Brown the sausages and, when they are done, add the bacon. We stir.
Add the garlic and, when they are almost poached, add the onion.
When the onion is half done, add the tomato and a little salt.
Let everything fry well and add the beans, bay leaf, white wine and water.
Cover the casserole and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring from time to time.
When the beans are tender, add the black sausage and a few sprigs of mint. Mix and cook for a few more minutes.
Taste and correct the salt if necessary… and our beans are ready to serve!
.
Tricks for spectacular broad beans Catalan style
The mint not only adds aroma, but also helps to digest this very hearty dish.
If you use frozen beans, add them directly without defrosting, but reduce the cooking time. You can follow this same recipe of frozen fava beans a la catalana without any problem.
I like the stew to have its mellow point: if you see that it is too dry, add a little more hot water during cooking.
.
Variants of broad beans Catalan style
With mushrooms: add rovellons or mushrooms to the sauce.
With ham: replace the bacon with diced cured ham.
With artichokes: add chopped artichoke hearts halfway through cooking.
Vegetarian: eliminate meats and increase garlic and vegetables for a lighter version.
With frozen beans: follow the same steps, but reduce the time.
.
