Portuguese Favas
Warm and hearty, Portuguese Favas is a traditional stew that captures the essence of rustic Portuguese cuisine. This dish combines tender fava beans with rich pork belly, smoky chouriço sausage, and fragrant aromatics like garlic, smoked paprika, and bay leaves, all simmered to perfection in a flavorful tomato and white wine broth. Whether made with dried or fresh fava beans, the recipe is a delicious labor of love, resulting in a stew that's both comforting and deeply satisfying. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it’s best served with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the savory sauce. Packed with authentic flavors and simple ingredients, Portuguese Favas is a must-try for fans of global comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams dried or fresh fava beans
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 200 grams chouriço or Portuguese sausage, sliced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 125 milliliters white wine
- 150 grams pork belly or pancetta, diced
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 750 milliliters water or chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
If using dried fava beans, soak them in water overnight. The next day, drain and rinse them. If using fresh fava beans, shell them and blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes, then peel off their outer skin.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the tomato paste, smoked paprika, and sliced chouriço to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to combine.
Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits.
Add the diced pork belly (or pancetta) and bay leaves to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes to render some of the fat.
Stir in the prepared fava beans and pour in the water or chicken stock. Season with salt and black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fava beans are tender and the stew has thickened slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side to soak up the flavorful stew.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1030 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 52.6 g | 67% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.4 g | 82% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 66 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 1642 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 88.4 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.7 g | 117% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.7 g | ||
| Protein | 47.5 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 178 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 10.2 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 1703 mg | 36% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
