Recipes

Fava Beans with Dandelion Greens

  • Serves

    serves 6

JAMES OSELAND

Many restaurants in Matera serve versions of this creamy fava bean puree topped with dandelion greens.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. small dried, shelled, and split fava beans
  • 1 tsp. chopped thyme leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic, halved
  • 5 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb. dandelion greens or escarole, ends trimmed, stems and leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ tsp. crushed red chile
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

Step 1

Put beans, thyme, and garlic into a 4-qt. saucepan with 6½ cups lightly salted water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium low; simmer, skimming occasionally, until tender, about 45 minutes. Transfer beans, cooking liquid, and 2 tbsp. oil to a food processor; pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper; set fava puree aside.

Step 2

Meanwhile, bring a 6-qt. pot salted water to a boil. Add greens and cook until they're wilted but still bright green, about 2 minutes. Drain, reserving ¼ cup cooking liquid. Heat remaining oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Add greens, reserved cooking liquid, and chile and cook until greens are soft, about 4 minutes. Season greens with salt and pepper and stir in lemon juice. Transfer fava bean puree to a platter and spoon greens over the top. Drizzle with more olive oil and the juices from the skillet.

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