IAN & SPAIN

There are times when we just simply lack the time or even the desire to cook and as a result we all too often resort to the so-called fast-food or ready-made meals. A good alternative is to resort to a healthy express recipe that is still homemade but with a few shortcuts. One example is this recipe for "White Beans & king Prawns" that you can have ready in 15 minutes and put a smile on everyone's face.

If you find this recipe useful and would like more express versions of traditional Spanish recipes just let me know in the comments section and I will do my best to share some more!

Ingredients for 4 people:

1  Jar white cooked beans - 400 g
12 Large king prawns (Gambones in a Spanish supermarket - frozen are fine)
2 tablespoons of fried tomato in olive oil - jar 
4 Garlic cloves
1 Medium onion
1 Tablespoon of chopped parsley
500ml fish or seafood stock - I prefer seafood stock - enough to cover all the ingredients and a little more which will evaporate off during the cook. 

Although we can make this recipe by cooking the beans fresh and preparing a homemade fish or seafood fumet, I assure you that this express version has nothing to be ashamed of. Trust me!

• First, start by breaking off the heads and then peel the prawns and clean them. You can butterfly them by cutting a line along the back and also remove the black thread (digestive tract). 
• Pour the stock into a pan add the prawn heads - heat the stock and squash down the prawn heads to release their flavour. Let the stock boil for a few minutes.
• Now we need to prepare the sauce by frying the finely chopped onion, the garlic cloves, also finely chopped, and two tablespoons of fried tomato. Fry together for five minutes. Meanwhile, wash the beans well.
• Now add the prawns to the pan and cook them for about 2 minutes. Add the beans to the saucepan and then add the stock (pass the stock through a sieve first). Salt to taste, add the parsley and then cook it all together for about 3-5 minutes on high heat to reduce the stock a little. If you like it a little spicy, now is the time to add a couple of dried chilis. 

Now all you have to do is serve with a side of crispy bread and a green salad.