Minted Broad Fava Bean Puree Recipes

MINTED BROAD / FAVA BEAN PUREE

Steps:

• Remove beans from pods.
• Put into pot of boiling water, return to the boil & cook until tender (approx 8-10 mins for fresh, 3-5 for frozen from when the water begins boiling again).
• Drain & run under cold water.
• Remove the skins (this does not taste as good if you leave them on, so is worth the effort).
• Put the beans, lemon juice & salt to taste in a blender/food processor.
• Pulse until smooth, then add the olive oil, mint & pepper.
• Pulse again, then put into a serving bowl. If it seems too stiff add a bit more oil.
• Cover and refrigerate until used (remove from the fridge approx 1/2 an hour before serving to remove the chill).

FAVA BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop the shelled fava beans in the water, and boil five minutes (if the beans are small or medium-size) to eight minutes (if the beans are large). Transfer the beans immediately to the cold water. Do not drain the water in the pot. Allow the beans to cool for several minutes, then drain and slip off their skins.
• Place the skinned fava beans, salt and mashed garlic in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Turn on the machine, and with the machine running, add the olive oil in a slow stream. Process until you achieve a smooth purée. If necessary, add enough of the cooking water to give the purée a soft, hummuslike consistency. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, taste and adjust seasoning.
• Mound the purée onto an earthenware platter or in a wide bowl. Garnish with olives, and serve with crostini or warm triangles of pita bread.

FAVA BEAN SOUP WITH MINT

Steps:

• Drain the favas. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Stir together for a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, about 5 minutes, and add the beans, 2 quarts water, another 2 teaspoons salt, and the mint. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 2 hours, or until the beans have begun to fall apart and thicken the soup. Stir from time to time to make sure the beans are not settling at the bottom of the pot and sticking.
• When the beans are soft and falling apart, remove the bundle of mint, and using tongs, any stray mint leaves. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Serve, garnishing each bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of slivered mint leaves, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

FAVA BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil as you shell the beans from: 4 pounds fava beans.
• Blanch quickly in the boiling water and then cool in ice water. Drain and pop the beans out of their skins. Heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan: 1/2 cup olive oil.
• Add the fava beans with: 4 garlic cloves, sliced, 1 branch rosemary, Salt, 1/2 cup water.
• Cook until the fava beans are very tender, stirring occasionally, and adding more water as necessary. The beans are done when they can be crushed easily with the back of a spoon, about 15 minutes. Mash with a spoon or pass them through a food mill. Stir in: 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil.
• Taste and season with salt as needed. Thin with water if necessary. Serve right away or at room temperature.

MOROCCAN BROAD (FAVA) BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.
• Meanwhile pod the beans, put beans into boiling water and boil for 2 mins.
• drain and refresh under cold running water.
• slip off and discard the outer skin of the bean.
• put beans into heavy pan with the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin and paprika, cook gently over low heat for about 10 mins.
• season to taste with salt and pepper and leave to cool in the pan.
• tip beans into a serving bowl, scraping in all the juices from the pan, toss in the preserved lemon, coriander and olives.

HALIBUT ON MASHED FAVA BEANS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Cook fava beans in large saucepan of boiling salted water 2 minutes; drain. Transfer to large bowl of ice water. Cool beans; peel if using fresh beans. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Mix 2 teaspoons mint, 1 teaspoon lemon peel, 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1 pinch of red pepper in small bowl. Arrange fish on large rimmed baking sheet. Rub mint mixture all over fish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add fava beans. Sprinkle with coarse salt, black pepper, and pinch of red pepper. Cook until heated through and tender, stirring occasionally and adding water by 1/4 cupfuls if dry, about 5 minutes. Using potato masher, mash beans to coarse puree, adding water by 1/4 cupfuls if dry. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Dredge fish in flour, shaking off excess. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in each of 2 heavy large skillets over medium-high heat. Cook fish until lightly browned and just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, rewarm fava bean puree. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup mint, 1 teaspoon lemon peel, and 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Divide fava bean puree among plates. Top with fish and serve.