Spanish migas are one of those humble dishes that perfectly capture the soul of traditional home cooking. Originally created as a way to use up stale bread, migas have countless regional variations across Spain. This version of Spanish migas with peas and chorizo recipe is hearty, comforting, and full of flavor, combining crispy bread, chorizo, sweet peas, and fresh mint. Finished with a fried egg on top, it’s the kind of rustic dish that works just as well for lunch, dinner, or even brunch.
This recipe of migas comes from the north of Spain, from the Basque Country, where you will find a delicious type of peas named “Lagrimas”. This translates as tears, because the peas have an oval shape. They are also referred to as “vegetable caviar” because of their delicate flavour and their high price. From 1 kg of peas the farmers only obtain around 90gr of product, which is usually sold to high end restaurants.
Ingredients for the Spanish Migas with Peas and Chorizo Recipe
To make this dish, you’ll need peas, either fresh or frozen, which bring sweetness and color to the plate. If you manage to find the “Lagrimas” you will be in for a treat. Fresh chorizo adds richness and a smoky depth, while stale bread is essential for creating the crispy migas texture. Onion and garlic form the aromatic base, and mint, whether fresh or dried, adds a surprising but very traditional freshness. Eggs are fried separately and served on top, tying everything together. Simple seasoning with salt and pepper is all that’s needed.
How to Make Spanish Migas with Peas and Chorizo
Start by gently frying the chopped onion and garlic in a pan until they turn soft and translucent. Add the peas and cook them slowly over low heat until tender, allowing their natural sweetness to come through. Once cooked, turn off the heat, stir in the mint, and season with salt and pepper.
In a separate pan, cook the fresh chorizo without adding any oil, letting it release its own flavorful fat. When fully cooked, remove the chorizo and set it aside. In the same pan, add the pieces of stale bread and fry them in the chorizo fat until golden and crispy. Mix the bread with the cooked chorizo so it absorbs all those smoky flavors.
Finally, fry the eggs in another pan until done to your liking. To serve, spoon the peas onto a plate, top with the chorizo and crispy bread, and finish with a fried egg on top.
Notes and Tips
- Using properly stale bread is key to good migas, as fresh bread will absorb too much oil and won’t crisp properly.
- Fresh chorizo works best here, as cured chorizo won’t release enough fat for frying the bread.
- Mint might seem unusual, but it’s traditional in many Spanish pea dishes and adds balance to the richness of the chorizo and egg.
- If you like a bit of heat, a pinch of chili flakes can be added when frying the bread.
Spanish Migas With Peas And Chorizo Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 gr peas fresh or frozen
- 2 fresh chorizo sausages
- 2 slices stale bread
- 1 white onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 eggs
- mint leaves of dried
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium heat and fry the onion and garlic until soft and translucent.
- Add the peas, lower the heat, and cook gently until tender.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the mint, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In another pan, cook the chorizo without oil until fully cooked. Remove and reserve.
- In the same pan, fry the bread in the chorizo fat until crispy and golden.
- Mix the crispy bread with the chorizo.
- Fry the eggs in a separate pan to your liking.
- To serve, place the peas on a plate, top with the chorizo and bread, and finish with a fried egg.
FAQ
Can I use cured chorizo instead of fresh?
You can, but the texture and flavor will change. Fresh chorizo is preferred because it releases oil that flavors the migas.
Is this dish served hot or warm?
Spanish migas are best served hot, especially with a freshly fried egg on top.
Can I prepare parts of it in advance?
The peas can be cooked ahead of time, but the chorizo, bread and eggs are best prepared just before serving to keep everything crispy and fresh.
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