Best 8 Fava Bean And Cactus Soup Recipes

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Embark on a culinary adventure with our tantalizing Fava Bean and Cactus Soup, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will delight your taste buds. This hearty and nutritious soup is a symphony of fresh ingredients, featuring tender fava beans, plump tomatoes, succulent cactus paddles, and a symphony of aromatic spices.

Indulge in a delightful journey through Mexican cuisine with our authentic recipes. Discover the secrets of preparing the delectable Fava Bean and Cactus Soup, a traditional dish bursting with bold flavors. Explore the vibrant Salsa Roja, a versatile condiment that adds a spicy kick to any dish. Learn the art of crafting homemade Corn Tortillas, a staple of Mexican cuisine, and whip up a batch of fluffy Arroz Rojo, a flavorful red rice that perfectly complements your Mexican feast.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

MOROCCAN FAVA BEAN AND VEGETABLE SOUP



Moroccan Fava Bean and Vegetable Soup image

When I am planning a Passover menu I look to the Sephardic traditions of the Mediterranean. The Sephardim were the Jews of the Iberian Peninsula; they had a rich culture and lived in harmony with Christians and Muslims until the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions at the end of the 15th century, when all non-Christians were expelled from Spain and Portugal. The Sephardim were welcomed in Turkey, and many went to Greece, North Africa and the Middle East as well. Throughout the Mediterranean, springtime is the season for spinach and other greens, artichokes and fava beans, and these vegetables make delicious appearances at Passover meals. This dish is inspired by the fresh fava bean soup that Rivka Levy-Mellul, author of "La Cuisine Juive Marocaine," remembers as the first course of her childhood Seders in Morocco. The authentic dish is a substantial soup made with quite a lot of meat, but I've made a vegetarian version. I expected the fava beans to color this soup a pale green, but the other vegetables - the carrots, leeks, turnips and onion - and especially the turmeric contribute just as much, and the color of the soup is more of a burnt orange.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, soups and stews, appetizer

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds fresh fava beans or 1/2 pound frozen double-peeled (2 cups)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium or large carrots, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 medium turnips, peeled and diced
1 small potato (about 4 ounces), peeled and diced
2 quarts water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
Salt to taste
A bouquet garni made with a couple of sprigs of parsley, a bay leaf and several sprigs of cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Steps:

  • Skin the fresh favas: bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Drop the shelled fava beans into the boiling water and boil 5 minutes. Drain and transfer immediately to the cold water. Allow the beans to cool for several minutes, then slip off their skins by pinching off the eye of the skin and squeezing gently. Hold several beans in one hand and use your other thumb and forefinger to pinch off the eyes, have a bowl for the shelled favas close at hand and this will not take very long.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the leeks, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes, and add the turnips, potatoes, favas, water or stock, salt and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender. Remove and discard the bouquet garni.
  • Purée the soup using a hand blender or a food mill, or working in batches, in a blender, making sure that you place a towel over the top of the blender and remove the inner part of the lid to avoid hot splashes. Return to the pot, add the pepper, turmeric and chopped cilantro and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring often, for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve in wide soup bowls, garnished with cilantro leaves and with a drizzle of olive oil over each serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 105, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 885 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

FAVA BEAN SOUP



Fava Bean Soup image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt
2 pounds shelled fava beans
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound bacon, cut into lardons, optional (but I highly recommend it)
1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 ribs celery, cut onto 1/2-inch dice
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, 2 smashed, 1 reserved whole
1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 to 5 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 to 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
High quality extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over medium heat and set up a bowl of well-salted ice water. Add the shelled fava beans to the boiling water. Once the water has come back to a boil, cook the beans for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them from the boiling water and immediately put them into the bowl of salted ice water. Once the beans have cooled completely, strain them from the ice water. Peel the tough, light green outer layer from the beans. You will be left with a delicate, lovely vibrantly green tender fava bean. MMMMMM! Reserve these little lovelies.
  • Coat a large saucepan over medium-high heat with extra-virgin olive oil. Add the bacon (if using, if not just start with the onions and celery) and once the bacon has started to become brown and crispy and is very aromatic, add the diced onions and celery. Season with salt, to taste, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Cook the onions and celery until they become translucent and are very aromatic. Add the smashed garlic cloves and the diced potato, stir to coat with the oil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 2/3 of the reserved fava beans and 4 cups stock. Taste for seasoning and add salt, if needed. Bring the stock to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
  • When the potatoes are tender enough to slide easily off a fork when cooked, puree the soup in a blender* until smooth. You probably will have to do this in batches. Return the soup to the pot, and add the remaining fava beans. If the soup is too thick, add some the remaining stock to adjust the consistency. Taste the soup to check the seasoning and reseason, if needed.
  • Ladle the soup into serving dishes, give them a little sprinkle of grated Parmesan and a drizzle of big fat finishing oil.
  • Fava beany-weany delicious!

HARIRA RAMADAM: SOUP OF FAVA BEANS AND LENTILS



Harira Ramadam: Soup of Fava Beans and Lentils image

Provided by Food Network

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 quart water
1 cup chickpeas
2 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground tumeric
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 pound beef, preferably diced fillet
1/4 bunch cilantro
1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley
1/4 bunch chopped lovage, optional
10 vine tomatoes, peeled and seeded, grated or chopped finely
1/2 cup rice or crushed vermicelli
1 cup water flour mixture (1 tablespoon flour dissolved in 1 cup water)
1 cup fava beans, soaked and drained
1 cup lentils (optional)
Salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Place the following into a deep saucepan and cover with water; chickpeas, chopped onion, spices, meat. Bring to the boil and simmer until the chickpeas are tender.
  • Chop the cilantro and flat leaf parsley, and lovage, if using, and grind in pestle and mortar to release the flavors.
  • Then, add the herbs, pulped tomatoes, and rice. After about 5 minutes add the water flour mixture, this helps the soup thicken and lighten in color. Finally add the fava beans, and lentils, if adding. Simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and serve with bread and sweet dates.

FAVA BEAN AND SPRING VEGETABLE SOUP



Fava Bean and Spring Vegetable Soup image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Bean     Vegetable     Spring     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup chopped peeled carrot
4 1/2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth or vegetable broth
2 cups shelled fresh fava beans (from about 2 pounds unshelled) or one 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
5 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
8 ounces asparagus, tough ends trimmed, spears cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
2/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and carrot; sauté until vegetables are tender but not brown, about 8 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil. Add favas and green beans and simmer until almost tender, about 8 minutes. Add asparagus and 1/3 cup basil and simmer until all vegetables are very tender, about 7 minutes longer. Season soup with salt and pepper. Stir in 1/3 cup basil. Ladle soup into bowls. Serve, passing Parmesan separately, if desired.

FAVA BEAN SOUP



Fava Bean Soup image

An ancient member of the pea family (Europeans and North Africans have been eating them for millennia), fava beans have a nutty taste and buttery texture all their own.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 1/2 cups chopped white onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 1/2 cups blanched, peeled fava beans
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Lemon juice

Steps:

  • Saute onion in olive oil. Season with salt. Stir in chicken stock. Bring to a simmer. Add fava beans. Simmer until tender. Stir in Parmesan. Puree. Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

FAVA BEAN AND CACTUS SOUP



Fava Bean and Cactus Soup image

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup dried peeled fava beans, rinsed
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup drained, rinsed and diced jarred cactus (nopales)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 sprig fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
Chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Put the fava beans in a large saucepan. Add 4 1/2 cups water and the salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring frequently, until the beans are soft and falling apart, about 1 hour. When the beans are tender, add the tomatoes, cactus, oil, thyme, and pepper. Cook, uncovered, 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Serve sprinkled with cilantro.From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves

FAVA BEAN SOUP



Fava Bean Soup image

Make and share this Fava Bean Soup recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Carol Bullock

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h5m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb dried fava beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
lemon, juice of

Steps:

  • Soak beans in water for 2 days in refrigerator.
  • Drain, and put in a large saucepan with 8-10 cups water.
  • Bring to a boil, and boil for 10 minutes.
  • Add onion, garlic, carrot and celery, and bring to boil again.
  • Turn heat to simmer.
  • Cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until beans are very soft.
  • Puree soup in blender (do this in batches).
  • Return soup to saucepan.
  • Add oil, cumin, salt and pepper.
  • Bring to boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes, adding a little water if too thick.
  • Serve garnished with chopped parsley, and a sprinkling of lemon juice.
  • Excellent with warm pita bread.

BESSARA (DRIED FAVA BEAN SOUP)



Bessara (Dried Fava Bean Soup) image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     weekday, soups and stews, appetizer, side dish

Time 4h45m

Yield Six servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound skinless, split dried fava beans
Salt to taste
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Juice of 2 lemons
1 large bunch coriander chopped, about 1/2 cup

Steps:

  • Soak the beans in water for 2 hours, drain and put in a pot with 2 quarts of cold water. Bring to a boil, skim and simmer, covered, for 2 hours, until the beans are very soft. Add the salt and mash the beans by hand or, for a smoother texture, puree in a blender and return to the pot.
  • Fry the garlic in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the paprika, cumin, turmeric and cayenne. Add to the soup and simmer for 30 minutes longer, adding water if the soup becomes too thick. Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice and the coriander. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 216, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 274 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Soak the fava beans overnight: This will help them soften and cook more evenly.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add flavor and nutrients to the soup. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, and tomatoes.
  • Don't be afraid to add spices: A little bit of cumin, coriander, or chili powder can really enhance the flavor of the soup.
  • Serve with a side of bread or rice: This will help to soak up the delicious broth.

Conclusion:

Fava bean and cactus soup is a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for a cold day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a healthy and flavorful soup, give this recipe a try.

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