Salted Fava Broad Beans Food

GABRIEL'S SAUTEED FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• First, shell the beans from the fava pods (I found it's sometimes easier - especially if you're new to fava beans - to open the pods when you run the edge of a knife along the seam, cutting away the tough edge so that the pod halves come apart).
• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil, then add salt - the amount depends on how much water you have, but it should be very salty, like seawater.
• In a bowl, combine ice and tap water to make ice water; set aside.
• Add the shelled beans to the boiling water and let cook for about 3 minutes, then remove from saucepan and immediately plunge into the ice water to halt the cooking.
• Let the beans cool, then peel the outer skin from each of them.
• Over medium heat in a skillet, melt together the butter and olive oil, then add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add the peeled fava beans and sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are done to your preference.
• Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper, serve, and enjoy!
• Note: in choosing your fava beans, get the pods that are firm and fresh looking; also, if you're feeling silly, have these along with your favorite liver dish and a nice Chianti.
• Note 2: once you've made these basic fava beans, you can add other delicious items such as caramelized onions or fennel, chunky fresh tomatoes, and/or a bit of chopped proscuitto.
• Note 3: I asked Gabriel if favas could be frozen effectively, and he said that yes, you can shuck them and blanch them for 1 minute at most, then freeze them in a single layer on a sheet in the freezer before putting them into bags; great bright green color and no mushiness in texture; thaw, peel, and use as usual.

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.

SALTED FAVA (BROAD) BEANS

Steps:

• preheat oven to 180C
• steam beans for five minutes (or presoak dried beans overnight. drain and dunk in cold water to cool slightly
• add all the other ingredients to a bowl to make a thick batter. add the beans and stir to coat.
• spread evenly on a greased baking tin and bake for 35 minutes, turning half way through.

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).

DRIED FAVA BEAN SNACKS

Steps:

• Heat 2/3 of a cup of vegetable oil or olive oil in a large pan.
• Add 1/2 cup of the halved beans at a time to the oil.
• When favas begin to brown, remove with slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels to catch the excess oil.
• Repeat with 1/2 cup.
• When all the fava beans have been cooked, lightly sprinkle with salt, garlic powder and cayenne pepper or your fav seasoning.
• They will become crispy when you let them cool off.