Portuguese Fava Beans with Cilantro

Favas com Coentro

by Hilaire Walden
from Portuguese Cooking
(Chartwell Books, 1994)
serves 4

A liberal amount of chopped cilantro and chopped tomato stirred into the beans just before serving makes this a particularly interesting and memorable way of serving fava beans. It’s a classic in Portugal, and you’ll see in home and in small tavernas and tascas, or small, family-run eateries.—Hilaire Walden

convert Ingredients
2-ounces bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 pound shelled fresh or thawed frozen fava beans
Salt and pepper
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

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Method
1. Cook the bacon in a heavy saucepan until the fat runs. Stir in the onion and cook until softened. Add the beans, barely cover with water and simmer until they are tender, 5 to 15 minutes depending on the age of the beans; or cook according to the directions on the package if using frozen beans.

2. Strain the beans and return to the pan. Stir in the seasoning and tomatoes, cover and heat gently, shaking pan occasionally for a few minutes to warm the tomatoes. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

Recipe © 1994 Quintet Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
© 2009 Leite’s Culinaria, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of use.