Bissara (Fresh Fava Bean Dip)
2 pounds fresh fava beans, shelled, peeled if large
3 tb fresh lemon juice
5 tb extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
pita wedges, sliced raw carrots, or crackers for serving
Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Blanch the beans for 2 or 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Peel if the beans are large.
In a blender or food processor, combine half the beans, the reserved liquid and the lemon juice. (Add more liquid if you prefer a thinner dip.) Process, scraping down the sides with a spatula, until the mixture is fairly smooth. Add the remaining beans and the oil, and process until smooth.
Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in the salt and cumin. Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers for dipping.
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2 pounds fresh fava beans, shelled, peeled if large
3 tb fresh lemon juice
5 tb extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
pita wedges, sliced raw carrots, or crackers for serving
Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Blanch the beans for 2 or 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Peel if the beans are large.
In a blender or food processor, combine half the beans, the reserved liquid and the lemon juice. (Add more liquid if you prefer a thinner dip.) Process, scraping down the sides with a spatula, until the mixture is fairly smooth. Add the remaining beans and the oil, and process until smooth.
Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in the salt and cumin. Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers for dipping.
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Fava Bean Relish
1 1/2 tb olive oil
8 ounces chopped andouille sausage (optional)
1 cup fresh fava beans
1/3 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup peeled, chopped plum (roma) tomatoes
1 clove garlic minced
1-2 tb chopped cilantro
salt & pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage and saute stirring for 2 minutes. Add the beans, onions, tomatoes, garlic and cilantro and saute for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. This is good with cheese dishes, as well as chicken and fish.
NOTE: One pound of fava beans in the pod yields about one cup of shelled and peeled beans.
1 1/2 tb olive oil
8 ounces chopped andouille sausage (optional)
1 cup fresh fava beans
1/3 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup peeled, chopped plum (roma) tomatoes
1 clove garlic minced
1-2 tb chopped cilantro
salt & pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage and saute stirring for 2 minutes. Add the beans, onions, tomatoes, garlic and cilantro and saute for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. This is good with cheese dishes, as well as chicken and fish.
NOTE: One pound of fava beans in the pod yields about one cup of shelled and peeled beans.
