Baking
57 recipes
Broad Beans (aka fava beans) have a short seasonal period that are prized in Europe. They are abundant with plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. You must grab them when you see them.
This is an example of where the Italians keep it simple and let the ingredients do the talking. This dish is all about the coming together of three prized greens, steamed to perfection and topped off with a simple dressing of cracked pepper and poppy seeds.
This could be a lovely starter to an Italian meal, or as a side dish to a light main like the Fish with Tomatoes and Capers.
Recipe provided by Jasmine Anderson.
Serves 4. V.Vg.GF.DF
Pictured: Italian broad bean salad with a poppy seed dressing
A good handful broad beans – outer shell removed if large after steaming.
Ingredients
- 3 bunches asparagus, or substitute with green beans
- 3 handfuls snow peas, or substitute with peas
- 1 garlic, finely chopped
- 1 chilli, very finely diced
- 1 lime, juiced
- Splash of walnut oil, or another nut oil, or extra virgin olive oil
- Splash of balsamic vinegar
- Shaved parmesan to serve
- Steam broad beans (3 minutes). Peel the outer shell of large pods, keep smaller pods, set aside.
- Steam asparagus/snow peas. Refresh in cold water.
Method
Mix lime juice/balsamic/chilli/walnut oil and chopped garlic.
Garnish with parmesan, cracked pepper/poppy seeds.
TasteTip - Broad beans are also known as fava beans, particularly in the US. Fresh broad beans have a very short season during the summer, therefore they are often sold frozen, canned or dried, which do not compare in taste and texture, so try to buy them in season whenever possible. Young beans can be eaten pods and all, but larger, older broad beans need to have the tough pods removed after the first boil. Dried broad beans are mainly used to make spreads or purées or for flavouring stews.
Another famous broad bean dish is the Egyptian ful medames – using a dried variety of broad beans cooked with garlic and lemon.
Dietary preferences
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-Free with ingredient checks
- Vegan with substitutions
- Dairy-Free with substitutions
