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Fabes con almejas (white beans with clams)

Fabes con almejas is a dish from Asturias, Spain, pairing tender large white beans with saffron scented clams. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes, an easy level, and costs about €4.80 per person. The key is adding the clams only at the very end, so they stay tender and flavor the broth.

Tonight, fabes con almejas, the dish from Asturias, big tender white beans with clams and a hint of saffron.

Fabes con almejas (white beans with clams)
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.80
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Summer, Fall

Fabes con almejas gets its character from the contrast between soft, creamy white beans and briny clams opening right in the broth. Saffron and sweet paprika add color and warmth without covering up the seafood taste, and a slightly thickened sauce coats every bean. It is a generous dish, nothing like a light diet meal, the kind that really fills you up.

This is the sort of recipe to save for a calm Sunday or a dinner among adults, when you have time to let the clams purge and the beans simmer slowly. Mon Chou suggests it as a change from your usual fish dinners, bringing a real taste of northern Spain to the table.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Clams 800 g

Pantry

  • Cooked white beansoften in the pantry 800 g
  • Saffron 1 pinch
  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • White wineoften in the pantry 15 cl
  • Bay leafoften in the pantry 1
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Parsley 1 sprig

Allergens Mollusks

The step by step recipe

  1. Let the clams purge in salted water for at least one hour. 1 h

    Change the water once, the sand settles at the bottom.

  2. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil, add the paprika then the white wine and let it reduce. 8 min

    Take the pan off the heat before adding the paprika, it burns very fast.

  3. Add the rinsed beans, the saffron infused in a little hot water and the bay leaf, cover with water and simmer. 15 min

    Mash a ladleful of beans to thicken the sauce.

  4. Slide the clams into the pot, cover and let them open. 3 min

    Discard any that stay closed, they are not safe to eat.

  5. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve right away in deep bowls.

    A drizzle of raw olive oil on the hot dish adds a final touch of flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick large cooked white beans, like gigante or butter beans, they hold their shape better than small ones.
  • Infuse the saffron in a bit of hot water before adding it, this releases its full color and aroma into the dish.
  • Taste the broth before serving and adjust the salt last, the clams already release some as they cook.

The variations

  • Swap the clams for mussels, the result stays close and the cost drops a bit.
  • For a version without shellfish, replace the clams with pieces of mild chorizo added with the beans.
  • To save time, use canned cooked beans and cut the simmering time down to 10 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • Crusty bread for soaking up the broth
  • A glass of dry white wine
  • A simple green salad to start

Storage

Keep fabes con almejas in the fridge in a sealed container for 1 day at most, the clams don't hold up well any longer than that. This dish does not freeze well because of the shellfish. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can I use dried white beans instead of cooked ones?

Yes, but soak them overnight and cook them for about an hour before following the recipe. Cooked beans are a faster option for a weeknight dinner.

How do I know if the clams are fresh before cooking?

Fresh clams are closed, or close up when you tap them. Discard any that stay open before cooking or closed after cooking.

Can I prepare the base of the dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the beans in their broth a day ahead and reheat them before serving. Add the clams only right before serving so they stay tender.

What if I don't have saffron?

You can skip it, the dish will still taste good thanks to the paprika and white wine, but it will be less colorful. A small pinch of turmeric can give a similar tint.

How long does it take to make a fabes con almejas with white beans and clams?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a fabes con almejas with white beans and clams?

About 520 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a fabes con almejas with white beans and clams cost?

About €4.80 per serving, or €19.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains mollusks. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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