FAVA BEAN CROSTINI
INGREDIENTS:
-- 1/2 pound dried fava beans
-- 5 tablespoons olive oil, + more for crostini
-- 1/2 onion, chopped
-- One 3-inch sprig fresh rosemary
-- 1 garlic clove, sliced
-- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
-- 1 baguette or country-
style loaf, sliced
-- 1 small tomato, cored, halved and thinly sliced
-- Basil leaves for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS: Soak the fava beans overnight in water to cover. Drain.
The skins should be loose enough to peel; if not, boil the beans for
10 minutes, drain, then peel.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large saucepan over
moderately low heat. Add the onion and saute until golden, 5 to 8
minutes. Add the beans and enough water to just cover them (about 2
cups). Bring to a simmer, cover, and adjust heat to maintain a
simmer. Cook until the beans are very tender, about 30 minutes.
Drain, reserving liquid.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the remaining oil in a small skillet
over moderately low heat. Add the rosemary sprig and cook 1 minute,
then remove and discard sprig. Add the garlic slices and cook,
stirring, until they are lightly colored, then remove and discard.
Put the drained beans in food processor and blend until
smooth. Add rosemary- and garlic-flavored oil and the remaining 2
tablespoons oil and blend again. Season with salt and pepper.
To make crostini, generously brush the bread slices with
olive oil. Toast or grill until browned. Top with some of the fava
bean puree, thinned if necessary with a little of the reserved
cooking liquid or olive oil. Top each crostini with a tomato slice
and a small basil leaf.
Leftover puree may be thinned with the reserved cooking liquid
and/or chicken stock to make soup.
Serves 8.
PER SERVING: 290 calories, 10 g protein, 33 g
carbohydrate, 13 g fat (2 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 170 mg
sodium, 4 g fiber.
WHERE TO BUY DRY FABA BEANS MAILORDER
Here are some sources for new-crop dried beans,
including heirloom varieties:
-- The Bean Bag, 818 Jefferson Street (Housewives' Market), Oakland;
(510) 839-8988. Mail-order catalog: $1 (credited to purchase).
-- Cost Plus World Market, all Bay Area locations.
-- Gallina Canyon Ranch, 144 Camino Escondido, Santa Fe, NM 87501.
Catalog: $1 plus SASE.
-- Market Hall Produce, 5655 College Avenue, Oakland; (510)
601-8208.
-- Mill Valley Market, 12 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley; (415)
388-3222.
-- Phipps Ranch, 2700 Pescadero Road, Pescadero; (415) 879-
1032.
-- G. B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers, 821 Washington Street,
Oakland; (510) 832-6503.
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