Broad Beans

[naomi24]

Someone's just given me some broad beans picked this morning from his garden, but I haven't a clue how to prepare and cook them. Do I slice the pods and remove the beans, or do I boil the whole thing and take the beans out afterwards? Oh, and how long should I cook them for?

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks.

[Clanad]

We don't as a practice, grow Broad Beans here in the western U.S. I really don't know why, since they're easily grwon and quite tasty... adaptable to many reicpes. A similar legume, Fava Beans are grown by some neighbors down the road that are of Basque extraction (lots of them here). They do eat the really early, very tender whole bean, but mostly they are podded like a peas. Simply run your thumb down the bean pod and it should split open, saving, of course, the bean. One of their favorite recipes is Basque Fava Beans with Garlic and Sage:

3 lb Fava beans
3 tb Olive oil
3 tb Butter
2 Cloves garlic; minced
Salt/pepper
1 tb Chopped fresh sage

Boil or steam the beans until tender and then remove the outer skins. Drain. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet. Add the garlic and sage and stir over medium heat until the garlic is tender. Add the fava beans and stir to coat. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper and serve hot.

If you don't have 3 pounds Broad beans reduce the recipe accordingly... Ikusi arte! in Euskara ..

[naomi24]

Thank you very much, Clanad. I'll try that recipe. It sounds good. Bye for now - in English. :o)

[Naomicorlett]

Take the beans out from the pod
Boil beans for 5 mins and drain
Throw in some butter
You can if you wish take the greyish skin off the beans if you are giong to serve them cold or add to omlettes etc.
I love broad beans but you get an awful lot of pod for your beans.

[naomi24]

Thanks Naomi. That sounds really easy.

[crisgal]

they are nice in parsley sauce - makes them go a bit further too!

[Androcles]

They are also nice in a warm salad with some green beens, spring onions, or red onion, crushed garlic, marjoram leaves (oregano) and oil and vinegar dressing.

[glenis]

they are also nice raw in a salad , just wash and top and tail them ,then chop

[naomi24]

Thanks very much everyone. We live and learn. :o)

[Naomicorlett]

Glenis.... Aren't the pods awfully thick and furry to eat raw. I do that with sugar snap peas but not broad beans.

[pastafreak]

I love them in a risotto....they are also good with crumbled,crispy streaky bacon.

[Mikkanjazza]

Broad beans fried with bacon - God that takes me back!

[CatInTheHat]

<snigger>, forgive me!
Every other newspaper & magazine here in the British Isles seems to have carried a broad bean recipe in recent weeks! I can only remember liking them when aged about 10, and the hidden agenda was that I was quite impressed by a friend's apparently 'cool' family, and they ate them.
Now the recipes advocate 'slipping' the beans from their hideous, tough skins. Why go to all that bother? Cut out the middle man & sling the foul things in the bin. Or don't buy them in the first place.

[Naomicorlett]

I like your response....If you dont like them thats the best thing to do....Moi J'adore would eat them for breakfast.