Fabes con Almejas

Ingredients

1 pound (450 g) dried fava beans (or any large, white bean), soaked overnight or boiled as below
24 live littleneck or mahogany clams
3 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
one half onion (about four ounces)
generous pinch of saffron or yellow food coloring for rice
1 tablespoon sweet paprika (not smoked)
¼ cup chopped parsley
A large loaf of crusty bread
sea salt or kosher salt, as needed