SIMPLE FAVA BEANS

2 cups fava beans - removed from pod

1/2 pound bacon - cut into pieces

1 onion - chopped

1 large can whole plum tomatoes - torn into pieces (skin & stem    ends removed)

I do not find it necessary to remove the outer shell of fava beans, in spite of numerous recipes that call for that step.  I just remove them from the pod, and rinse them.

Par-boil fava beans in plenty of water for a few minutes. 

Strain in a colander.

Cook cut up bacon in a large, low pan that has a lid. 

Remove bacon to a dish for later, but leave the fat in the pan.

Saute the chopped onion in the bacon fat. 

Add the torn tomatoes, and stir to blend and heat through.

Add fava beans and cooked bacon.  Stir together and bring heat up.

Salt to taste.

Put the lid on the pan, and leave to simmer until beans are tender.  The length of time is very much to your taste, and to your schedule.  It doesn't take long before everything tastes pretty good (maybe 15 or 20 minutes).  But, it can simmer, or rest with the lid on but the fire off, for up to an hour, and the taste just gets better, and the beans get more tender.  You don't want them to fall completely apart and become mushy.

from Carol Havens

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