Pork and white bean fabada (stew) recipe

Place the haricot beans in a bowl, cover with cold water and leave to soak overnight.

Next day, heat the olive oil in a flameproof casserole over a medium heat. Add the bacon lardons, along with the diced pork fillet, and fry for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned all over. Add the onion and garlic and fry gently until the onion is soft. Add the smoked paprika and crushed chillies and fry for 1 minute more.

Drain the haricot beans well, rinse well under cold running water, drain again, then add to the casserole with the saffron and 1.4 litres water. Bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until the liquid has reduced a little, and the pork and beans are tender.

Stir in the swiss chard or spring cabbage, cover with a lid and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, and serve with some crusty bread to mop up the juices.