Asturian Bean Stew Spanish Recipe

Asturian Bean Stew Spanish Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ pound fabes (large dried white beans from Asturias)
• ¼ pound smoked bacon slab
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 head garlic, papery outer skin removed
• 2 medium Spanish onions, 1 halved and 1 minced
• 1 3-pound chicken, cut into pieces
• ¼ cup Spanish extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet pimenton (Spanish smoked paprika)
• pinch of saffron, threads crushed

Method

1. The day before you plan to cook the stew, place the beans in a bowl and cover with cold water
2. Soak the beans overnight at room temperature
3. The next day, drain and rinse the beans
4. Put the bacon slab in a small pot, cover with water, and boil for 5 minutes
5. Drain the bacon
6. This will remove some of the fat
7. Combine the drained beans and chicken stock in a large pot
8. Remove 1 garlic clove from the head and set aside
9. Add the bacon, the head of garlic, and the halved onion
10. Bring to a slow boil, skimming any foam that rises to the top
11. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the chicken pieces
12. Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat
13. Add the minced onion and cook until it is translucent and begins to caramelize, about 15 minutes
14. Peel and mince the reserved clove of garlic and add it to the onion
15. Cook for 2 more minutes, then stir in the pimenton and saffron
16. Spoon the onion mixture into the large pot and stir until well combined
17. Continue to cook the beans and chicken, uncovered, at a very low simmer for 2 hours
18. Occasionally add a little cold water to slow the simmering and to keep the beans covered with liquid
19. Do not stir the beans while they cook; this could cause them to break apart
20. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and set aside to cool for 1 hour
21. Remove and discard the onion halves and head of garlic
22. Remove the bacon and cut into thin slices
23. Ladle the beans and chicken pieces into soup bowls and garnish with slices of the bacon

Full List of Spanish Recipes
Full List of Stew Recipes