It is inopportune that broad beans which is also know as fava beans, tic beans and field beans have not been given the credit its due in the United States, despite their exposure in various media and cookbooks. This plant serves a range of functions when it come to the way you can eat them or what dishes you can use them in, as is anticipated from such an astoundingly well-traveled plant, which is largely eaten and found in various types of dishes and cuisines in North Africa and southeast Asia.
Broad bean is a main ingredient is a very tasty Greek dish. Broad beans, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and spring onions, as well as sugar, salt, pepper and dill to taste, are the ingredient for cooking Koukia. While the broad bean are being washed and cleaned in water, onions are roasted in heated oil.
The dish is then cooked, by adding in the rest of the ingredient along with the beans and some water, until its becomes soft. To bring it the complexity of its taste, the dish is served with a side dish of pita bread, although it is also great served on its own.
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.
The beans can also be stewed in a pot with butter and oil after their skin is removed by cooking them in water. Seasoning the dish with herbs like parsley, mint, basil and thyme is a good way of mixing it up but it has to be done carefully as to not overpower the beans.
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!