Butter Bean And Mint Pilaf Recipes

FRANK STITT'S CHICKEN STOCK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place chicken bones in a roasting pan, drizzle with the oil, and toss to coat. Transfer roasting pan to oven and roast, 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly colored.
• Add onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, if desired, and garlic; roast, turning chicken and vegetables occasionally, until bones are golden brown, about 30 minutes more.
• Transfer bones and vegetables to a large stockpot and add 40 cups cold water. Pour off any excess fat from roasting pan. Add a splash of water to pan and scrape up browned bits from the bottom and into the stockpot. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Skim fat that has risen to the surface and reduce heat to low. Place thyme, parsley, and bay leaf in a piece of cheesecloth; tie with kitchen twine to enclose. Add cheesecloth packet to stock, along with salt and peppercorns. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 hours, skimming occasionally and adding more water as necessary to keep bones covered.
• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Strain stock through a colander into a large container. Let bones and vegetables drain thoroughly before discarding. Strain stock again through a fine-mesh or cheesecloth-lined strainer into a container set in the ice-water bath. Let cool, stirring occasionally.
• Cover stock and transfer to refrigerator. When stock has chilled, remove any fat from surface.

A PILAF OF ASPARAGUS, BROAD BEANS AND MINT

Steps:

• Cook the broad beans in salted water for 4 mins, till almost tender, drain.
• Trim asparagus into short lengths, steam for 3 mins and drain.
• wash the rice 3 times in cold water, stiring with your hand, cover with warm water, add a tsp salt and set aside for a good hour.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the bay leaves, cardamon, peppercorns,cinnamon stick, cloves, cumin seeds and thyme. Stir in the butter for a minute or two until the fragrance is released.
• Drain the rice and tip it into the warmed spices, cover with 1 cm depth of water and bring to the boil.Season with salt, cover and turn the heat down to a simmer.
• Finely slice the spring onions and chop the parsley.
• After 5 mins remove the lid and gently fold in the asparagus, beans, spring onions and parsley. Replace lid and continue to cook for 5-6 mins, until the rice is tender but still has some bite to it. All the water should have been absorbed, leave with the lid on but the heat off for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove lid, check seasoning, add extra butter if liked and fluff with a fork sprinkle over the mint.
• Can be served with minted yoghurt if liked.

BUTTER BEANS WITH BUTTER, MINT, AND LIME

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add butter beans and cook until tender, 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of the beans. Drain in a colander; shake colander several times to shed as much water as possible.
• Put butter in a large serving bowl, and pour warm butter beans on top. Toss beans with butter until all the butter is melted. Add lime juice and toss again to distribute. Fold in mint, season with salt and pepper, and scatter lime zest over the top. Serve immediately.

MINT OIL

Steps:

• Prepare and ice-water bath; set aside. Bring 4 cups water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add mint leaves and cook 10 to 15 seconds. Drain, and immediately transfer to ice-water bath to cool. Drain and squeeze dry.
• Place half of the mint leaves in the jar of a blender with enough oil to cover; blend for 2 minutes. Add remaining leaves and oil and blend for 2 minutes more. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.
• Strain mint oil through cheesecloth and discard solids. Oil can be kept in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 5 days.