Best Portuguese Fava Bean Stew Recipes

PORTUGUESE FAVAS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until golden brown. Stir in red pepper flakes, tomato sauce, hot water, parsley, salt, pepper and paprika. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Gently stir in fava beans. Remove from heat and let stand for several minutes to allow flavors to meld.

HILDA'S FAVAS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan bring 3 quarts water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the favas and 2 teaspoons of the salt. Cover and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain in a colander and set aside until ready to use.
• In a heavy large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bay leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and heat for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and 7 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
• Add the fava beans and continue simmering until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Toss with andouille or chorizo. Serve immediately, or cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

PORTUGUESE BEAN STEW (FEIJAO A PORTUGUESA)

Steps:

• Soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches, for 8 hours.
• Cook bacon in a large pot until crisp.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Discard all but 3 tablespoons of bacon drippings.
• Cook onion in bacon drippings over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown; about 7-9 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook, stirring until it becomes golden.
• Drain beans and add to onion mixture with remaining ingredients (except bacon).
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender; about 1 1/2 hours.
• Crumble bacon into beans and season with salt and pepper before serving.

PORTUGUESE BEAN STEW (FEIJAO A PORTUGUESA)

Steps:

• Soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches 8 hours.
• Cook bacon in a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Spoon off (and discard) all but about 3 tablespoons fat in pot. Cook onion in reserved fat over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden, 7 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until it begins to turn golden.
• Drain beans and add to onion mixture with remaining ingredients (except bacon). Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. (Older beans will take longer to cook and require more water during cooking.) Crumble bacon into beans and season with salt and pepper before serving.

BAGHALI GHATOGH (FAVA BEAN STEW)

Steps:

• Add the oil and garlic to a medium pot, then set it over medium-low heat. Cook the garlic, stirring often, until fragrant and cooked, taking care not to burn it, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the turmeric, stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beans, dill, 1½ teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir gently so the beans don't break, and cook for about 3 minutes, just so the flavors meld and no longer taste raw.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, add enough water to cover the beans, about 2 cups (or more as needed, if you're using cannellini beans, which absorb more liquid), and bring to a gentle boil. Partially cover with the lid barely ajar, reduce the heat to medium-low, and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, but still maintain their shape (no mushy beans please), and the flavors have come to life, about 12 minutes.
• Taste the beans and liquid for salt and pepper, and adjust as needed. The stew should be juicy enough to serve over rice, but if it seems too liquidy, remove the lid and cook a little longer to reduce it, keeping in mind that the eggs will also thicken it up. Add a little more water if the stew is too thick.
• Increase the heat to medium and add the eggs one at a time. If poaching whole eggs, use 4 eggs and make individual wells in the stew before adding each egg. Cook, uncovered, until the whites set and the yolk is cooked to desired consistency, 3 to 5 minutes. (Alternately, you can stir the eggs in: Add 3 eggs, then run a spoon through each egg to break them apart and cook, slightly covered, until the eggs set, about 3 to 5 minutes.) Taste, add more water if the stew is too thick, adjust seasoning and serve.