Braisedfavabeans Recipes

BRAISED BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans in water overnight. Drain, then transfer to a Dutch oven. Add 10 cups water, 2 sage leaves, the smashed garlic and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium low; cook until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving the liquid. Discard the garlic and sage.
• Meanwhile, preheat a grill to high or preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Return the beans to the Dutch oven. Add the sliced garlic, olive oil, the remaining 4 sage leaves, the tomato, 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the pot, uncovered, on the grill or in the oven; cook until creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the parsley and more cooking liquid, if necessary. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

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.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• If using fresh fava beans, cook in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander set in a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain, remove skins, and place beans in a small bowl. Do not cook frozen beans.
• Squeeze lemons into a large bowl of cold water. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, remove tough dark outer leaves. Using a serrated knife, cut off 1" from top, then trim stem, leaving at least 1/2" intact. Using a paring knife or vegetable peeler, remove dark outer layer from stem. Cut artichoke in half lengthwise, scoop out choke with a spoon, and discard. Transfer artichoke to lemon water to prevent it from turning brown.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Drain artichokes and pat dry. Add to pan; season with kosher salt and pepper, and cook, tossing occasionally, until brown and crisp in places, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet. Wipe out pot.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with kosher salt and pepper. Working in 2 batches, cook chicken, skin side down, until brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes (do not turn). Transfer to baking sheet with artichokes.
• Reduce heat to medium, add shallots to pot, and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and beginning to soften, 8-10 minutes. Add wine and vinegar and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pot; cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Mix in broth, then add artichokes and chicken, skin side up. Transfer to oven and cook, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, 20-25 minutes. Mix in fava beans.
• Serve chicken and vegetables topped with chives and parsley and seasoned with sea salt and pepper.

BRAISED FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• Chop the onions.
• Place the oil in a Dutch oven, add the onions and braise until transparent.
• Skin, deseed and chop the tomatoes.
• Add the tomatoes, beans and stock granules to he onions.
• Cover and cook for about 30 minutes.
• Add more water if it looks dry.
• Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley and serve.