Caldo de habas is a traditional Mexican soup made with fava beans, also known as habas. This soup is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a cold day. The soup is filled with vegetables and protein, making it a nutritious meal that will keep you full for hours. In this recipe, we will show you how to make caldo de habas that is both delicious and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
To make caldo de habas, you will need the following ingredients:
1 pound dried fava beans
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 potato, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: chopped cilantro and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Fava Beans
Begin by soaking the dried fava beans in water overnight. Drain the beans and rinse them well.
Step 2: Saute the Vegetables
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and potato. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Step 3: Add the Fava Beans and Broth
Add the fava beans to the pot along with the tomato, chicken or vegetable broth, cumin, and oregano. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour until the fava beans are tender.
Step 4: Blend the Soup
Using an immersion blender or transferring the soup to a blender, blend the soup until it is smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro and a lime wedge if desired.
Nutrition
This recipe makes about 8 servings. Each serving contains approximately:
Calories: 277
Protein: 15g
Fat: 4g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 13g
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 787mg
Tips
If you don't have fava beans, you can use lima beans instead.
For a vegetarian or vegan version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
To make the soup spicier, add a chopped jalapeno or serrano pepper.
The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Caldo de habas is a delicious and nutritious soup that is perfect for a comforting meal. With its blend of vegetables and protein, this soup is both hearty and flavorful. Try this recipe the next time you want to warm up on a chilly day.