WHITE BEANS WITH VEGETABLES AND JAMÓN-INFUSED OLIVE OIL
A flavorful bean stew elevated with the subtle aroma of Jamón Ibérico or prosciutto-infused olive oil. This dish combines tender white beans, sautéed vegetables, and a delicate smoky undertone from cured ham oil, perfect for a comforting meal. For a vegan or fasting version, replace the ham oil with rosemary-infused olive oil.
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes + infusion time
🍳 Cook Time: 25 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Stew:
- 500 g cooked white beans (see instructions for cooking dry beans or use canned)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 medium red kapia pepper, diced
- 1 medium green kapia pepper, diced
- 1 hot chili pepper (red or green), finely chopped
- 1 canned tomato (or 1 heaping tsp tomato paste)
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar (preferably Reserva)
- ½ bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Jamón-Infused Oil:
- 100 g Jamón Ibérico or prosciutto crudo, torn into pieces
- 150 ml mild-flavored olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Jamón-Infused Oil:
Blend olive oil and torn Jamón pieces in a food processor until well combined.
Transfer mixture to a small pan and gently warm over low heat to enhance infusion.
Pour into a covered jar and let infuse at room temperature for 2-3 hours, then refrigerate. Use from the next day onwards. This will yield more oil than needed for this recipe. - Cook Vegetables:
In a pan, sauté diced onion, red and green kapia peppers, and chili in 3 tbsp olive oil over low heat. Season with salt to soften faster. Cook gently for about 15 minutes until very soft but not browned. - Add crushed canned tomato and cook for 3 more minutes until oil separates slightly.
Optional: Remove some excess oil at this point if desired, as more infused oil will be added later. - Pour in 3 tbsp of the bean cooking liquid (or water) and sherry vinegar. Bring to a boil.
- Add cooked beans and gently mix. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Stir in 2 tbsp of the jamón-infused oil and chopped parsley. Remove from heat.
- Cover and let rest for at least 10 minutes to develop flavor. The dish tastes better after sitting or when reheated. Serve warm or at room temperature.
💡 Tips
- Use cap ends or imperfect pieces of Jamón for infusing oil economically.
- Substitute rosemary-infused oil for a vegan/fasting alternative.
- The infusion oil adds versatility—use it on avocado toast, grilled fish, or in mayonnaise.
- Save some bean cooking liquid to adjust stew consistency.
🎉 Perfect For
- Cozy family dinners
- Elegant vegetarian-friendly meals (with rosemary oil)
- Flavorful additions to Mediterranean-inspired menus
📝 Final Thoughts
This white bean and vegetable stew gains a sophisticated twist from jamón-infused olive oil, creating a rich, aromatic dish that’s both comforting and versatile. It’s a smart way to use leftover cured meats and elevate simple ingredients into gourmet fare.