Fava Bean Purée Food

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 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.

BISSARA (FAVA BEAN PUREE)

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse and drain the fava beans.
• In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for a minute. Add fava beans, vegetable broth, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne. Cook three to five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are warmed. Begin to mash the beans by hand or with a masher. You are looking for a consistency that is not solid but thick enough to be scooped up using bread. If it seems too thick, thin with additional broth or water.
• Mix remaining spices together and reserve.
• To serve, place Bissara into a shallow soup bowl or dessrt plate with a high lip. Sprinkle ¼ of the mixed spices. Drizzle additional oil on top. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
• Serve warm or hot.

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).

PUREED FAVA BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Boil the fava beans for about 5 minutes. Then put in cold water to cool.
• Once cool, peel the fava beans, starting with the dark spot of a hinge at the end (or the butt, as Lindsey would have it -- ).
• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and let the oil warm for about a minute.
• Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
• Add the onion, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes transparent,.
• Add the bay leaf, water, and carrot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the fava beans and cook another 5 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf & transfer all ingredients to a food processor, add salt & pepper to taste, and puree until soup is smooth and thick. (you may have to do it in batches if you've got a small one like me).
• Enjoy with some nice whole grain toast, or whatever suits you!