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Despite their mentions in various media and cookbooks, it is unfortunate that broad beans, also known as fava beans, tic beans and field beans are not nearly as well known in the United States as they should be. They are widely eaten in North African cuisine and they are found in many different types of dishes in southeast Asia, and as might be expected from such an impressively well-traveled plant, can be quite versatile when it comes to what dishes you can use them in and how you can eat them.

One delicious Greek recipe utilizes broad beans as the main ingredient. Koukia calls for broad beans, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and spring onions, as well as sugar, salt, pepper and dill to taste. The broad beans are cleaned and washed in water while the oil is heated and the onions are roasted in it.

The beans and all of the other ingredients are added, along with a little water, and they are all cooked until the entire dish is soft. This is a great dish to serve either on its own or with a side order of pita bread, which can bring out the complexity of the tastes that are involved.

Typically, broad beans, no matter what the variety are eaten while they are young and tender, and though they can certainly be eaten while lightly steamed and soft, they can also be fried. When fried, the beans will split open, making the Thai name for this bean, the “open-mouth nut” make a great deal of sense. After you have fried them, they can be salted or spiced and they’ll provide an excellent snack when you are in a hurry. You can also serve them a s a complement to a special event or as a side dish to bring out the flavor of a more bland offering.

You’ll find that the beans are best eaten while fresh and they can be a great way to finish off a meal. For a continental flair, eat them with a salty cheese or a hard one, like parmesan. You’ll also find that a light dusting with salt and pepper can make them quite tasty as well.

You can also cook them in water to remove their skins and then stew in a pot with oil or butter. Herbs like parsley, mint, basil and thyme are excellent to mix with this dish, but season carefully, as these beans can become quite overpowered.

If you want to add a little bit of protein in your diet, broad beans are a great way to do that, and finding a way to integrate these delicious indulgence will be a tasty accompaniment to your dishes!

Last 5 posts by Kathy Bea

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Tags: Recipes