Migas

Migas is a simple country meal. Extremely popular in Spain, this dish is especially satisfying ( & inexpensive) to eat on a cold winters day.

Ingredients for 4 people:

1 large loaf of one- day old heavy bread (pan casera).
Virgin extra olive oil 6-8 tbps.
150g smoked bacon chopped in small pieces.
3 large cloves of garlic, crushed with the back of a knife & chopped.
1 medium-size onion, finely chopped.
1 1cm thick slice of strongly flavoured cured ham chopped.
1 tsp hot paprika.
½ tsp ground cumin.
8 eggs.
Method:

Start preparation one day ahead by breaking bread into small pieces, by hand, & sprinkling several times with water. Cover & leave to sit over-night.
Use the original type of coarse, dense bread that may be found everywhere in Spain & only contains natural ingredients.

Next day:

In a large deep metal pan fry the bacon in a tbsp of the olive oil, on a very low heat , until it is soft, & the fat of the bacon has come out. Stir occasionally with wooden spoons.
Add garlic, onion & ham & cook until the onion softens. Remove this melted mixture to a plate, with a sieve spoon, leaving the juices in the pan.
Turn up the heat slightly on the pan & add 6 tbsp olive oil.
Add bread crumbs to the pan & stir to coat with the oil.
Sprinkle crumbs with paprika & cumin. Stir in.
Cook on a lower heat, stirring occasionally, until the crumbs are crisp.
Add the reserved ham mixture to the crumbs. Stir in.
Cover pan with a wok top & cook for 5 minutes.
Turn off heat & let the Migas rest for 5 minutes .
Fry 8 eggs to serve with Migas.