1. Remove the broad beans from their pods and rinse them in a sieve

2. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a strong earthenware casserole dish and gently fry the broad beans together with the chopped onion and crushed garlic over a medium to low heat

3. Continue frying over a low heat until the broad beans are cooked (about 30 mins)

4. Chop the serrano ham into small pieces add to the beans and continue frying for a further 5 mins before serving

 

Tips and ideas:

• Peas and ham also works well. Use exactly the same ingredients and steps, just use peas instead of broad beans
• You can use frozen beans (or peas) if they aren't in season
• In southern Spain people eat broad beans straight out of the pods to accompany an aperitif or a tapas. If they are freshly picked, they are delicious. Look out for baskets of them in bars in the Murcian region especially.