I went to a Catalan restaurant recently (at the recommendation of my good friend in Barcelona), and had a lovely three course meal. Catalan cuisine is an integral aspect of where I am in Spain, which is the province of Catalunya. The dish I am going to share is the first course from this three course meal, and the best part is that it is healthy. It also meets my dietary restrictions of being gluten free!
Habas a la Catalana (Catalan-Style Broad Beans)
The aroma coming off the broth was fresh and earthy, like the fragrance of the forest. It tasted like a comfort dish I would have on a cold winter day or if I was sick. Habas a la Catalana has a nutty and creamy flavor from the broad beans and a richness from the butifarra (Spanish sausage). There was a touch of sweetness from the anise stars, a fruit which is known for tasting a bit like licorice.
The main ingredients in this dish are broad beans, black sausage, onions, garlic cloves, herbs such as rosemary, anise or white wine, vegetable broth, and olive oil. First, the broad beans have to be peeled by gently splitting the bean away from the pod. The beans need to be cleaned and rinsed under water well.
