Steaming Broad Beans: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat

Broad beans, also known as fava beans, are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to risottos. They are part of the legume family and are a good source of protein and vitamins. When cooking broad beans, it is recommended to double pod them to enhance their flavour and texture. This process involves removing the outer shell, blanching the beans in boiling water, and then making a small incision in the second shell to reveal the bright green bean inside. While it can be time-consuming, double podding improves the taste and makes the beans more tender. After double podding, the beans can be steamed for 6 to 11 minutes, depending on their size and desired doneness. Alternatively, they can be boiled for 2 to 4 minutes.

How to prepare broad beans for steaming

Preparing broad beans for steaming is a simple process, but it does require a bit of time and patience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare broad beans for steaming:

Step 1: Shell the Beans

Snap the pod in half and use your fingers to open each half and remove the beans. Alternatively, you can split the pod open with your nails, similar to how you would open a pea pod. Removing the string that starts at the top of the bean, where it used to hang off the plant, will make this process easier.

Step 2: Blanch the Beans

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place the shelled beans in the boiling water and blanch them for 2-3 minutes. Blanching helps loosen the skins and preserves the colour and nutritional value of the beans.

Step 3: Cool the Beans

After blanching, drain the beans and immediately cool them in a bowl of iced water or under a cold running tap. This step is crucial as it stops the cooking process and ensures the beans remain tender.

Step 4: Double Pod the Beans

Once the beans are cool enough to handle, make a small incision with a knife at the top of each bean. Gently squeeze the bean to pop out the bright green inner bean. Discard the outer skins. Double podding is essential to enjoying the best flavour and texture of broad beans.

Step 5: Steam the Beans

Now that your beans are prepared, they are ready to be steamed! Place the double-podded beans in a steamer and cook for 6-11 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

Preparing broad beans for steaming may take a little effort, but it is worth it to enjoy these delicious and nutritious legumes. Enjoy your freshly steamed broad beans as a side dish or add them to your favourite recipes!

How to steam broad beans

Broad beans, also known as fava beans, are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes. They are part of the legume family and are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam broad beans:

Step 1: Prepare the Broad Beans

Start by removing the beans from their pods. You can do this by snapping the pod in half and opening each half with your fingers to get the beans out, or by splitting the pod open with your nails, similar to how you would open a pea pod. It is recommended to remove the string that starts at the top of the bean, where it used to hang off the plant, first as it will make the pod easier to open.

Step 2: Rinse and Check the Beans

Once you have removed the beans from their pods, rinse them under cold water and check for any blemishes. This step ensures that your beans are clean and free of any dirt or impurities.

Step 3: Place the Beans in a Steamer

Place the rinsed beans into your steamer. Make sure that the steamer has enough water and that it doesn't run dry during the cooking process.

Step 4: Steam the Beans

The cooking time for steaming broad beans will depend on the size of the beans, how well-done you like your beans, and the age of the beans. In general, steaming broad beans can take anywhere from 6 to 11 minutes. Keep an eye on the beans and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Step 5: Serve the Beans

Once the beans are steamed to your desired doneness, remove them from the steamer and serve them immediately. Steamed broad beans can be served as a simple side dish or added to a variety of recipes such as salads, risottos, pasta dishes, and soups.

Tips:

• If your beans are older or tougher, you may need to remove the outer skins. To do this, cook the beans using your preferred method (steaming or boiling) and once they are soft, gently pinch the outside skins and squeeze them to make the beans pop out.
• For a basic broad bean recipe, stir in some olive oil, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add some mint leaves for extra flavour.
• Broad beans go well with salty foods such as bacon, Parmesan, and anchovies. They also pair well with lamb, halloumi, and fish.

How to serve steamed broad beans

Broad beans, also known as fava beans, are a delicious and versatile ingredient. They can be steamed, boiled, or fried, and can be served hot or cold. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

• In a salad: Steamed broad beans can be added to a variety of salads, such as a broad bean summer salad or a new potato and asparagus salad. They add a vibrant green colour and a fresh flavour.
• With meat: Broad beans go well with meat, especially lamb. Try serving them as a side dish with lamb cutlets or a rack of lamb. They also pair well with bacon, pork, halloumi, or fish.
• In a risotto: Broad beans can be added to a risotto, such as a spring pea and asparagus risotto. They can be cooked separately and added at the end to ensure they are sufficiently cooked.
• In pasta: Broad beans can be stirred into pasta dishes, such as a creamy pasta primavera or a roasted tomato and basil pasta.
• On toast: For a simple snack or starter, serve steamed broad beans on toast with shavings of pecorino or parmesan cheese.
• As a dip: Broad beans can be made into a dip, such as hummus or guacamole.
• In a soup: Broad beans are a great addition to soups, such as a North African soup or a slow-cooked lamb stew. Add them towards the end of the cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• In a fritter: For a light meal or starter, try making chilli broad bean fritters with labneh, a Middle Eastern strained yoghurt cheese.

When preparing broad beans, it is recommended to double pod them, especially if they are older and tougher. This involves removing the outer shell, blanching the beans in boiling water, and then removing the tough inner skin to reveal the bright green bean inside. This process improves the flavour and texture of the beans.

How to store and freeze broad beans

Storing and freezing broad beans is a great way to preserve their flavour and nutrients for future use. Here is a detailed guide on how to store and freeze broad beans effectively.

Storing Broad Beans

To store broad beans in their pods, keep them in a perforated bag or a bag that is slightly open to allow airflow. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Freezing Broad Beans

Freezing broad beans is a simple process that allows you to enjoy them throughout the year. Here are the steps to freeze broad beans:

Step 1: Prepare the Beans

Start by picking or purchasing fresh broad beans. Look for pods that feel full and firm when given a light squeeze. Open the pods and collect the beans in a large bowl. You can remove the outer skin from the beans, but this is optional.

Step 2: Blanch the Beans (Optional)

Blanching the beans is not necessary, but it will help retain their structure, colour, and freshness in the freezer. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the beans. Blanch them for 2-4 minutes, then drain and plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process.

Step 3: Dry the Beans

After blanching, spread the beans on a kitchen towel and gently press with another towel to remove excess moisture. It is important to remove as much water as possible to prevent ice crystals from forming on the beans during freezing.

Step 4: Freeze the Beans

Place the dried beans on a sheet of baking parchment or a tray, ensuring they are not touching each other. Put them in the freezer for a couple of hours until frozen. Then, transfer the frozen beans to freezer bags or containers. Label the bags with the date and store them in the freezer for up to 6-8 months.

By following these steps, you can enjoy fresh, tasty, and nutritious broad beans all year round!

How to cook tough broad beans

Broad beans, also known as fava beans, are a tasty and nutritious treat, packed with vitamins and protein. However, they can be a little fiddly to prepare, especially if the beans are older and tougher. But don't worry, here's a step-by-step guide to help you cook tough broad beans to perfection!

Step 1: Shelling

First, you need to remove the outer shell of the broad beans. You can do this by snapping the pod in half and using your fingers to get the beans out, or by splitting the pod open with your nails, similar to how you would open a pea pod. This step is easier if you first remove the string at the top of the bean, where it used to hang off the plant.

Step 2: Blanching

Once you have your beans out of their shells, it's time to blanch them. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add the beans. Blanch the beans for 2-3 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and age of your beans, but it's important not to overcook them, as they will become mushy.

Step 3: Cooling

After blanching, immediately drain the beans and cool them in icy water or under a cold running tap. This step is crucial as it stops the cooking process and helps preserve the colour and nutritional value of the beans.

Step 4: Double Podding

Now comes the "double podding" part. Make a small incision with a knife at the top of each bean and gently squeeze to pop out the bright green inner bean. The outer skin of broad beans can be tough and bitter, so it's worth taking the time to remove it. Your beans are now ready to be used in your favourite recipe!

Serving Suggestions

Broad beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes. Try adding them to salads, risottos, pasta dishes, soups, or even making a delicious broad bean dip. They also pair well with salty foods like bacon, Parmesan, and anchovies.

Frequently asked questions