Sauteed Fava Beans

The best way to show off fresh fava beans. Serves 2.

INGREDIENTS

Boiling water
Sea salt
Ice water
2 lbs fresh fava beans, in the pod (yields about 1 1/2 to 2 cups shelled beans)
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced, to taste
Sea salt & black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Shell the beans from the fava pods (trying running 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. Have the ice water ready.

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 saute for 1 minute. Add the peeled fava beans and saute for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are done to your preference. Season to taste with salt and pepper.