Greetings, lovers of good food! Today I’m going to tell you about a very special dish that, as well as being delicious, is easy and quick to prepare: broad peas with ham.
This is one of those dishes that wins everyone’s heart (and stomach), thanks to its incredible combination of flavours and its simplicity. So if you’re a lover of good food, I invite you to read on. Let’s get started!
A brief introduction to broad beans with ham
Broad beans with ham is a traditional Spanish dish, especially popular in the region of Andalusia. The combination of the mild sweetness of the beans with the potent, salty flavour of the ham makes this dish something really special.
Add to that the flavour of onion and garlic, plus a touch of white wine, and you have a dish that becomes a real festival of flavours.
Basic ingredients for making broad beans with ham
To start preparing your broad beans and ham dish, you will need to gather the following ingredients:
- 500 grams of fresh broad peas or beans
- 150 grams of diced Serrano ham, or, if you prefer, Iberian ham
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 glass of white wine
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
These ingredients are just a base, as later I will suggest some variations of the recipe so that you can customise it to your liking.
How to make broad beans with ham?
I’ll start with the basic recipe for broad beans with ham, which is the easiest and quickest to prepare. First, peel and chop the onion and garlic. In a large frying pan, add a splash of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until golden brown.
Then add the diced Serrano ham and mix well to combine the flavours. While the ham is cooking, clean the beans by removing the tips and strings.
Add the beans to the pan with the ham, onion and garlic, and stir well. Add the white wine, allow the alcohol to evaporate for a few minutes and then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the pan and leave the beans to cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time, until tender. And that’s it, that’s how easy it is to prepare a delicious dish of broad beans with ham.
Recipe variations: broad beans with ham and egg
Broad beans with ham is a very versatile recipe and can be customised in many ways. One of the most popular variations is the recipe for broad beans with ham and egg.
In this variation, after cooking the beans and ham as explained above, crack an egg over the mixture just before the end of cooking. Cover the pan and let the egg cook until the white is completely set, but the yolk is still a little runny.
This dish is a heartier version of broad beans with ham, and the egg provides a creamy texture that perfectly complements the flavour of the beans and ham.
Broad beans with ham and caramelised onion
Another delicious variation on this dish is the recipe for broad beans with ham and caramelised onion. To prepare it, simply double the amount of onion in the original recipe and sauté over low heat until golden brown and caramelised.
Then add the ham and beans as explained above, and continue with the recipe as usual. The sweet, slightly toasted flavour of the caramelised onion contrasts beautifully with the salty ham and the mild flavour of the broad beans.
An original twist: bean and ham stir-fry
If you feel like experimenting a little more, I suggest a variation that is perfect for a light lunch or a quick dinner: the broad bean and ham scramble.
Prepare the beans and ham as I explained before, and when they are almost ready, add two beaten eggs to the frying pan. Stir well until the eggs are completely cooked and mixed with the beans and ham. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious stir-fry.
For wine lovers: broad beans with ham and white wine
If you are a white wine lover, you will love this variation of broad beans with ham. Simply increase the amount of white wine in the original recipe and let it reduce during cooking.
The white wine adds a touch of acidity to the dish that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the beans and the saltiness of the ham. Don’t forget to serve it with a glass of the same wine you used for cooking for a complete gastronomic experience.
And there you have it, now you know how to make broad beans with ham the easy way and you also have at your disposal several ways to customise this delicious dish to your liking.
So now you know, the next time you feel like cooking something tasty and easy, consider fava beans with ham!
I’m sure you’ll love it. And remember, cooking is an art that is best enjoyed when shared, so invite your friends and family to try your creations.
Until next time, cooking friends!
