What do I do with ..............

arkonite_babe

Broad beans???

Got these in my first ever organic veg box today and I'm not quite sure what to do with them. (Expect a few more posts like this over the coming weeks )

They are still in the pod, I know how to shell them, I'm not that bad! But what to do next?? Boil them? Staem them? I haven't got a clue.


Going to use them on Sunday for lunch.

HELP!

ben500

You can boil or steam them, no salt needed but if you want a little extra flavour once drained add a tiny amount of butter and make sure you gently stir them to get them all coated. Check the beans whilst cooking twenty mins should do it, try not to overcook as they get too bitter and stink! If your having a roast chicken you can put some in the cavity for the last thirty mins, some people even puree them but the thought disgusts me, broad beans you either love them or hate them so have something handy as a back up in case you fall into the latter category.

If your having lamb mix them into the mint sauce.

arkonite_babe

I'm having them with a roast pork fillet. Is this sounding ok or disgusting??

ben500

arkonite_babe wrote:

I'm having them with a roast pork fillet. Is this sounding ok or disgusting??

Sounds delicious, not many cuts finer than pork fillet when cooked well. I like to marinade in mead for an hour or two with a little cinnamon drain and use the liquor to add to gravy.

Alternatively slice into 1.5" medallions place in foil with one thick slice of apple between each medallion like a giant kebab pour over about 1.5tsp of melted butter wrap and bake.

Some people give the beans a quick blanche and peel the skins as they are very strong in flavour personally I prefer them with skins on.

Not to be confused with butter beans of course which are evil tasting little B*****d's

arkonite_babe

I opened one of the pods tonight to let kids see them and taste them, they've never seeen anything like this. Don't blame me, I'm re -educating them, they're my step kids and until recently they thought all food came from packets or tins
Thats why I'd like a really nice way to cook them

ben500

arkonite_babe wrote:

I opened one of the pods tonight to let kids see them and taste them, they've never seeen anything like this. Don't blame me, I'm re -educating them, they're my step kids and until recently they thought all food came from packets or tins
Thats why I'd like a really nice way to cook them

If you want them to like them, let them cook them!

arkonite_babe

Errrrrrrrrrrr and end up with either no kitchen or no asses left in my pans???????????? NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

squeaky

I cheated the first time I did these for people who only ever ate out of tins or packets.

Simmered them gently for about twenty minutes, drained them and put them back in the pan with a knob of butter AND (this is the cheat) a big pinch of sugar.

Whirl around ( I mean stir ) until the butter and sugar disappear.

The trick is to remove the sugar to zero in small steps first... and then set to work on reducing the butter to minimal levels second

arkonite_babe

Will try one of these suggestions on Sunday and let you all know how I get on

competitionscafe

Yum! One of my favourite vegetables...

"Broad beans are good sources of protein, fibre, vitamins A and C, potassium and iron. They also contain levodopa (L-dopa), a chemical the body uses to produce dopamine (the neurotransmitter associated with the brain's reward and motivation system).

STORING
After picking, broad beans quickly lose flavour with each day that passes. Keep them cool and eat them quick. Freshly picked beans can be frozen very successfully after briefly blanching them.

PREPARING
Split the pods and remove the beans (only the pods of VERY young beans are edible). The pale green skins can be left on or removed according to preference (older, larger beans have thicker, tougher skins). To remove the skins, blanch in boiling water for one minute and then rinse in cold water. Slip off the skins before finishing by boiling or steaming until tender (approx. 2 - 5 minutes).

From: http://www.eattheseasons.co.uk/Archive/broad%20beans.htm


Try this (recipe from full on food) - would highly recommend it, it tastes a lot better than it looks!
(and it's a great way to use up those 'rabbit food' green salad leaves that come in your box.



Couscous salad with feta, Kalamata olives, broad beans, peas and mint.
Recipe:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/couscoussaladwithfet_74884.shtml

Or if that's not your thing there are plenty more ideas here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/search.shtml?scope=recipes&q=broad+&go.x=3&go.y=7
-

arkonite_babe

I have my beans all prepped for tomorrows lunch. i think I like the sound of Squeaky's recipe most so will try that one tomorrow. I shall let you know the verdict