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Fave e cicoria (Fava Bean Purée with Chicory)

Prep Time12 hours
Cook Time1 hour

Ingredients

For the fava beans:

  • 500 g 1 lb dried, peeled fava beans
  • 2 cloves of garlic or a small onion peeled
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: A sprig of fresh parsley and a garlic clove or two peeled and crushed

For the chicory:

  • A large head of chicory or 2 small heads, about 100g (3-1/2 oz) per person
  • Salt and pepper

To finish the dish:

  • A best-quality fruity extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Making the fava beans:

  • You'll need to soak your fava beans overnight, up to 12 hours. (Dried fava beans are quite a bit harder than other beans and need longer soaking.) 
  • Put your favas in a pot large enough to contain them and enough water to cover by a couple of centimeters (about an inch). Season well with salt and pepper, along with the optional ingredients if using
  • Simmer about an hour or more, until the favas have become very tender. Stir frequently and top up with more water as needed to prevent the beans from drying out and scorching, but you do want to water to reduce, so that by the time the favas are tender, the water will mostly have evaporated.
  • When the beans are tender, begin to mash them with the side of your wooden spoon, until the beans have formed a kind of 'cream'. If you want a smoother texture, use an immersion blender or pass the favas through a food mill and return them to the pot. Add a good pour of olive oil to enrich the beans. Continue simmering, stirring all the time, until the beans have formed a purée thick enough that you can form a little 'canal' with a wooden spoon as you stir. The purée should have the texture of mashed potatoes. 
  • Taste and, if necessary, adjust for seasoning. 

Preparing the chicory:

  • Meanwhile, boil the chicory in well salted water until fully tender but still bright green, about 4-5 minutes. Drain. 

Putting it all together:

  • Place your fava bean purée in the bottom of individual plates. Place some of the boiled greens on top of the fava purée. Drizzle both greens and purée with a generous amount of the best, fruitiest olive oil you can find.
  • Serve immediately.