Savory Spanish Ham and White Bean Stew

January 16, 2024

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Spanish Ham and White Bean Stew: Spain has so many simple delicious recipes.

This is a classic white bean stew. What differentiates this is the use of a jamón bone, in the stock. It gives it a kinda nuanced salty flavor. Spanish Ham and White Bean Stew is a simple dish, but it has a lot of depth in the flavor, and it is so versatile, you can pair it with almost anything.

It is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for cold weather. It features tender white beans, smoky ham, and spicy chorizo, cooked in a rich and flavorful broth. It’s a traditional dish from the Asturias region of Spain, where it is known as fabada asturiana.

I had some leftovers for breakfast and threw a fried egg on top = delicious!

Why Spanish Ham and White Bean Stew works:

It uses simple ingredients that create a complex and satisfying flavor. The ham and chorizo add saltiness, smokiness, and spiciness to the stew, while the white beans add creaminess and starchiness. The onion, garlic, and bay leaves add depth and aroma to the broth.
Of course, you can use canned or dried beans, depending on your preference and availability. You can use different types of ham, such as serrano, prosciutto, or black forest. You can use different types of chorizo, such as Spanish, Mexican, or Portuguese.

Spanish Ham and White Bean Stew Tips and tricks:

First, soak the dried beans overnight in cold water, or use the quick-soak method by boiling them for a few minutes and then letting them sit for an hour. This will help soften the beans and reduce the cooking time.
Brown the ham and chorizo in a large pot over medium-high heat, until they release some of their fat and juices. This will add more flavor and color to the stew, as well as render some of the fat from the meats.
Lastly, simmer the stew over low heat for about 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the broth is thickened.
You can use a wooden spoon or a potato masher to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot, to create a creamier texture.
You also need to stir the stew occasionally, and add more water or broth if needed, to prevent it from sticking or burning.

Spanish Ham and White Bean Stew

Don't forget the crusty bread to serve with it, or the drizzle of EVOO just before you serve it.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Spansih

Keyword: Stew, white beans

Prep Time: 8 15

Cook Time: 1 30

Total Time: 1 45

Servings:

Calories: 411kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups White beans Dry
5 cloves Garlic
1 Onion Quartered
2 bay leaves
0.5 grams saffron
1 hambone Jamón bone if you can find it - it is cured and salted and what makes it "Spanish"
1 link of Spanish chorizo about 150g
4 pork ribs
2 Tbsp EVOO to taste

Instructions

Put 2 cups of dry white beans - whatever you have, and put in a large bowl and cover 2 or 3 inches of water. Soak overnight if you have time, but I find 8 hours is usually enough, and a max of 24 hours.
Rinse beans and sift through them to make sure there are no rocks or debris, and put into a large pan. Cover with chicken stock (approximately 750ml -1 liter) and bring to a light boil.
Slice the chorizo into 1/4 inch slabs and in a separate pan cook the chorizo, until. they start to brown, and have released a lot of their oil, drain with paper towel and set aside.
Add onion, garlic, bay leaves, bone, chorizo, and ribs to the beans and stock
Let simmer for 90 minutes to 120 minutes. Taste the beans at 90 minutes to see if they have softened, and if not keep cooking and retry every 15 minutes.
Taste for salt at the end, the Jamón bone imparts a lot of salt, I needed to add about 3/4 tsp at the end. It also depends on how salty your stock is. But be careful. Better to have too little than to much, as you can always salt it more when you serve it.
Optional step: When you think the soup is 15 minutes from done add 2 large chopped carrots, and 1 celery stick chopped, other options cook include spinach, kale, or potatoes
When the beans are soft, and you are happy with the flavor, turn off the heat and take out the bone, ribs, bay leaves and onion.
Let the bone and ribs cool, then take the meat from them discarding the fat, or save it - just don't put the fat back into the soup. I like to shred the meat.
Stir the meat back into the soup.
When ready to serve, drizzle some EVOO on top. I like a teaspoon, Spaniards usually put on a tablespoon. I like to garnish with just a little paprika for color.
I like to serve it with crusty bread

Notes

In Catalan they call the beans Ganxet beans or mongetes, in Spanish they are simply called judías blancas.

They are often served with Spanish chorizo, or blood sausage, but I find those meats while flavorful to be a little heavy, but this white bean stew pairs perfectly with a Catalan sausage called Butifarra. If you ever see any at your local Spanish specialty store I do suggest you buy some.

Nutrition

This is what Jamón bone looks like – if you can find it it adds a deep flavor, and the meat is delicious

Spanish Ham And White Bean Stew Pairs well with :

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