Best 6 A Pilaf Of Asparagus Broad Beans And Mint Recipes

BROAD BEAN & DILL PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then soak in warm water for 5 mins and drain well. Heat the butter in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Sizzle everything for 8-10 mins until softened, but not coloured. Stir though the rice and pour over the stock. Cover, bring to the boil, then turn down heat to a minimum and cook the rice very slowly for 10 mins.
• Lift the lid, and quickly scatter over the podded beans, then replace the lid. Turn up the heat and simmer for 5 mins until all the liquid is absorbed. Add the dill, give the rice a good stir and serve with extra butter melting through.

A PILAF OF ASPARAGUS, BROAD BEANS AND MINT

Steps:

• Cook the broad beans in salted water for 4 mins, till almost tender, drain.
• Trim asparagus into short lengths, steam for 3 mins and drain.
• wash the rice 3 times in cold water, stiring with your hand, cover with warm water, add a tsp salt and set aside for a good hour.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the bay leaves, cardamon, peppercorns,cinnamon stick, cloves, cumin seeds and thyme. Stir in the butter for a minute or two until the fragrance is released.
• Drain the rice and tip it into the warmed spices, cover with 1 cm depth of water and bring to the boil.Season with salt, cover and turn the heat down to a simmer.
• Finely slice the spring onions and chop the parsley.
• After 5 mins remove the lid and gently fold in the asparagus, beans, spring onions and parsley. Replace lid and continue to cook for 5-6 mins, until the rice is tender but still has some bite to it. All the water should have been absorbed, leave with the lid on but the heat off for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove lid, check seasoning, add extra butter if liked and fluff with a fork sprinkle over the mint.
• Can be served with minted yoghurt if liked.

BUTTER BEAN-AND-MINT PILAF

Steps:

• Fill a small saucepan two-thirds full with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 sprig of thyme, 2 bay leaves, and shell beans. Bring to a simmer, and then reduce heat slightly. Cook until beans are tender, about 25 minutes. Let cool in cooking liquid. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid.
• Bring stock to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add remaining 2 sprigs thyme, bay leaf, mint, and rice; stir to coat.
• Add simmering stock mixture to rice mixture and stir. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until rice is tender, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; loosely cover to keep warm.
• Place the beans, remaining tablespoon butter, and 2 tablespoons cooking liquid inside a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Cook until warmed through. Tear mint leaves and add to beans; season with salt and pepper. Fold bean mixture into rice mixture and serve immediately, drizzled with mint oil if desired.

ASPARAGUS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Make the butter: Melt butter with mint, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat until just bubbling around edges.
• Make the asparagus: Cook asparagus in a pot of salted boiling water until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.
• Drizzle a few tablespoons mint butter over asparagus, and toss gently to coat. Garnish with mint leaves.

BROAD BEAN & CHICKEN PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse the rice thoroughly, then leave to drain until needed. Melt half of the butter with the oil in a large pan or paella pan and fry the onion gently, stirring occasionally, for about 7 minutes until translucent, without browning.
• Now add the garlic and spices and stir fry for about 30 seconds, then add the chicken. Stir fry lightly for a few minutes on a high heat until the chicken loses its glassy look and is tinged brown (if you're using chicken thighs, stir fry for 5 minutes more). Tip the drained rice into the pan, and stir fry for a final 30 seconds, until the rice is coated with the juices in the pan.
• Pour in the stock and stir in the beans. Season generously with salt and pepper and bring to the boil, then put the lid on tightly and turn the heat down as low as it will go (use a diffuser mat if you have one). Leave to simmer for 10-12 minutes, without stirring, until the stock is absorbed and the rice and chicken are tender. Check now and then towards the end of cooking, to make sure the rice hasn't boiled dry. Stir in the dill and the remaining butter just before serving.

FAVA BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Blanch and skin the fava beans and place them in a bowl. Use the blanching water to blanch the asparagus, or steam the asparagus if you prefer. If blanching, bring the water in the pot to a boil, salt generously and add the asparagus spears. Blanch 1 to 4 minutes, depending on how thick the asparagus is; fat spears (recommended) will take up to 4 minutes, but thin ones are ready in 1 minute. You can steam the asparagus over 1 inch boiling water for the same amount of time if you prefer. Transfer the lightly cooked asparagus to a bowl of cold water, then drain and dry on paper towels. Cut into 1-inch lengths. Add to the bowl with the fava beans. Add the herbs, and the chickpeas if using.
• Combine the lemon zest and juice, vinegar, garlic or shallots, and salt to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the oil and yogurt. Toss with the favas and asparagus. Add the shaved Parmesan, toss again and serve, or allow to marinate for 30 minutes, then serve.