Fava Beans with Pork Cheeks and Poached Eggs

Neuza Costa

2 May, 2023

Dishes prepared with fava beans are always very comforting on cold days.
The pork cheeks in this recipe give a delicious flavor, and the meat melts in your mouth, making this dish an unforgettable delicacy.

Ingredients

• 500 g (1.1 lbs) of pork cheeks, diced
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper paste
• Piri piri (hot pepper) to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• 200 ml (7 fl oz) of white wine
• 1 heaping tablespoon of pork lard
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• Salt
• 1 piece of bacon rind
• 125 g (4.4 oz) of bacon, diced
• 125 g (4.4 oz) of meat chorizo, sliced
• 4 heaping tablespoons of tomato paste
• 750 g (1.65 lbs) of frozen or fresh fava beans
• 4 eggs
• Mint leaves or chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. 1
   Season the pork cheeks with salt, considering that the homemade red pepper paste is already salty.
   Add the red pepper paste, piri piri, and mix well.
   Drizzle everything with the white wine.
   Allow marinating while you prepare the sauté.

   Mark as done
2. 2
   In a large pot, heat the pork lard or, if you prefer, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the onion, garlic, bay leaves, and bacon rind.
   Stir and sauté until the onion begins to brown.

   Mark as done
3. 3
   Add the bacon and chorizo to the sauté.
   Stir and sauté everything well.

   Mark as done
4. 4
   In the pot, add the well-drained meat.
   Stir and sauté everything well until the meat changes color.
   After the meat is well cooked, add the tomato paste and fava beans.
   Finally, add the marinade.
   Cover and let it start boiling.

   Mark as done
5. 5
   When boiling, add approximately ½ liter (17.6 fl oz) of water, enough to cover the fava beans.
   Cook over medium heat for about 40 minutes until the beans are tender.

   Mark as done
6. 6
   About halfway through the cooking time, stir so the beans don't stick to the bottom and, if necessary, add a little more water.

   Mark as done
7. 7
   After the beans are cooked, add the eggs directly to the pot.
   Cover and cook over low heat for 6 to 7 minutes.

   Mark as done
8. 8
   When the eggs are poached to your liking, turn off the heat and add mint leaves or chopped cilantro.

   Mark as done

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