Cardoons in Almond Sauce with Iberian Ham

Cardoons in almond sauce with Iberian ham is a traditional, delicate recipe full of flavour. A perfect dish for anyone looking for something simple to make, but with that gourmet touch that turns any meal into a special occasion.

In this recipe we use Conservas Almanaque Natural Cardoons 720 ml, a very versatile preserved vegetable that lets you prepare elegant home-cooked dishes in just a few minutes, keeping all the flavour of traditional cooking.

Ingredients for 2-3 people:

• 1 jar of Conservas Almanaque Natural Cardoons 720 ml.
• 80 g of Iberian ham, diced or in shavings.
• 1 handful of raw or toasted almonds.
• 1 garlic clove.
• 1/2 onion.
• 200 ml of vegetable stock.
• 1 teaspoon of plain flour.
• Extra virgin olive oil.
• Salt, to taste.
• Freshly ground black pepper.
• Fresh parsley to garnish.

Method:

1. Drain the cardoons carefully and set aside a little of the liquid from the jar in case you need to thin the sauce.
2. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Fry them in a frying pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until golden.
3. Add the almonds and let them toast lightly to bring out their flavour.
4. Stir in the flour for a few seconds so it cooks through and loses its raw taste.
5. Gradually add the vegetable stock while stirring, until you have a smooth, slightly thickened sauce.
6. Blend the sauce if you prefer a finer, creamier texture.
7. Add the cardoons to the pan and leave to cook for a few minutes over a gentle heat so they absorb the flavour of the sauce.
8. Add the Iberian ham right at the end, so it brings aroma and flavour without overcooking.
9. Serve hot, topped with a little fresh parsley and some chopped almonds.

Chef's tip:

For a more delicate sauce, blend the almonds with the stock before adding them to the cardoons. For an even more gourmet touch, add a few shavings of Iberian ham just before serving, along with a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil.

It is a perfect recipe as a first course or as a special side dish for meat, fish or celebration menus.