Best 6 Fava Bean And Pecorino Salad Recipes

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**Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad: A Refreshing and Nutritious Spring Treat**

As spring arrives, it's time to embrace the vibrant flavors of fresh, seasonal produce. Among these delights, fava beans shine with their sweet, nutty flavor and tender texture. Paired with salty pecorino cheese, they create a delightful harmony in this Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad. This simple yet elegant dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a celebration of the season's bounty.

This salad showcases fava beans at their peak, complemented by a medley of fresh herbs, crunchy radishes, and a tangy lemon-tahini dressing. The Pecorino cheese adds a salty, nutty dimension, balancing the sweetness of the beans.

In this article, we present three variations of this refreshing salad, each offering a unique twist on the classic combination. The first recipe features a traditional Italian preparation, with the addition of crisp pancetta and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. For a vegan alternative, the second recipe replaces the pancetta with roasted chickpeas and adds a touch of sweetness with honey. And for those who love bold flavors, the third recipe incorporates spicy harissa and feta cheese, creating a vibrant and unforgettable dish.

No matter which variation you choose, the Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad is sure to impress with its vibrant colors, delightful textures, and burst of spring flavors. So gather your ingredients, follow the step-by-step instructions, and enjoy this delicious and nutritious salad that celebrates the best of the season.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FAVA BEAN, ASPARAGUS, AND ARUGULA SALAD WITH SHAVED PECORINO



Fava Bean, Asparagus, and Arugula Salad with Shaved Pecorino image

Categories     Salad     Bean     Vegetarian     Parmesan     Asparagus     Arugula     Fall     Boil     Gourmet

Yield Makes 4 first-course or lunch main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 lb medium asparagus, trimmed
2 cups shelled fresh fava beans (2 1/2 lb in pods) or shelled edamame (fresh soybeans)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 lb arugula, coarse stems discarded
1 (1/2-lb) piece Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Steps:

  • Cut asparagus stalks on a long diagonal into 1/8-inch-thick slices, leaving 1-inch-long tips (reserve tips separately).
  • Blanch asparagus tips (but not sliced stalks) in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water 2 minutes, then immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking.
  • Return water to a boil and blanch fava beans 1 minute, then immediately transfer with slotted spoon to ice water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus tips and beans and gently peel skins from beans (it's not necessary to peel edamame, if using).
  • Toss beans and asparagus (blanched tips and raw sliced stalks) in a bowl with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste, then divide among 4 plates. Toss arugula with remaining tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste and mound on top of vegetables. Shave thin slices of cheese over salad with a vegetable peeler (use about half of piece), then drizzle with vinegar.

FAVA BEAN AND PECORINO SALAD



Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     appetizer

Time 33m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Kosher salt
3 cups shelled fava beans
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 cups roughly chopped escarole
3/4 cup shaved aged pecorino
Red wine vinegar
Good quality extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over medium heat. Set a bowl of salted ice water on the counter. Blanch the fava beans in the boiling water and plunge immediately into the salted ice water. Remove the tough outer casing from the fava bean.
  • Combine the fava beans in a large bowl with the onions, escarole, and the pecorino (reserve a couple shavings for garnish). Add some red wine vinegar, some olive oil and salt, to taste. Toss to coat the salad with the dressing.
  • Arrange the salad on serving plates and top with the reserved shaved cheese.
  • Springtime on a plate!!!!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224 calorie, Fat 14 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 22 milligrams, Sodium 550 milligrams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fiber 4.5 grams, Protein 14 grams, Sugar 5 grams

FAVA BEAN AND PECORINO SALAD



Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad image

Spring is the season for fresh fava beans -- tan flat beans that resemble limas, though not as starchy. Pino Luongo, of Coco Pazzo in NYC, tosses favas with baby greens and fresh Pecorino cheese.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 pounds whole fava beans, shelled
2 shallots, peeled and minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces baby lettuce, washed and spun dry
2 ounces watercress, stems removed, washed, and spun dry
3/4 pound Pecorino Toscano cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath. Add favas to boiling water, and blanch 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice bath to stop cooking; drain. Peel and discard tough skins; set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine shallots, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified.
  • Arrange lettuce and watercress on a platter. Top with fava beans. Drizzle with vinaigrette, and sprinkle with cheese.

CRUNCHY FAVA-BEAN SALAD WITH FRISEE, PEPPERS AND PECORINO



Crunchy Fava-Bean Salad With Frisee, Peppers and Pecorino image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     easy, salads and dressings

Time 20m

Yield Four servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 pounds fresh fava beans, shelled
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 cups sliced celery
1 1/2 cups leek rounds, white and light green parts only, washed well
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into 1/4-inch-wide strips
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 cups frisee, washed and dried
1/4 cup finely grated pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add the beans. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender but not mushy. Refresh the beans in ice water. Drain and peel the beans. You will have about 2 cups.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium skillet. Over high heat, cook the celery and leeks for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally; the vegetables should retain some crispness. Add the yellow pepper and cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the fava beans, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
  • To make the vinaigrette, place the lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining salt, fresh black pepper, garlic and remaining olive oil in a jar. Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously to combine.
  • To assemble the salad, pour the vinaigrette into a large bowl. Add the cooked vegetables, frisee and pecorino and toss lightly to coat evenly. Adjust the seasoning if necessary and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 724, UnsaturatedFat 25 grams, Carbohydrate 93 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 37 grams, Protein 41 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 749 milligrams, Sugar 44 grams

FAVA BEAN AND CRISPY PANCETTA SALAD WITH A PEA, PECORINO AND MINT DRESSING



FAVA BEAN AND CRISPY PANCETTA SALAD WITH A PEA, PECORINO AND MINT DRESSING image

Categories     Salad     Side

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 clove of garlic, peeled and left whole
10 1/2 oz shelled fava beans
8 slices of pancetta or bacon
1 handful of whole, blanched almonds
5 1/2 oz shelled fresh peas
2 1/2 oz Pecorino or Parmesan cheese or a mixture of both, grated
1 handful of fresh mint, leaves picked
8 tbl EVOO
Juice of 1-2 lemons
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a pot to a boil, half-filled with water, but with no salt as this makes fava beans and peas toughen. Add your garlic and allow the water to boil for a couple of mins before adding the beans. Cook for around 3-5 mins, depending on how young the beans are. Simply taste one to check. If you feel the skins are a little tough, which they sometimes can be, let them cool a little and then you can peel them very quickly by pinching and squeezing the bean out. Throw the skins away and keep the garlic clove to one side. Place your pancetta on a baking sheet, with the almonds spread out next to it. Place in a hot oven at 475 F - keeping an eye on the almonds to make sure they don't color too much. You should be able to crisp up the pancetta at the same time as toasting the almonds, but simply remove one or the other if it is getting too far ahead. To make the dressing, put your raw, shelled peas and and the soft, boiled garlic clove into a morter or food processor and bash or blitz until smooth. Add the cheese and most of the mint and stir or pulse to make a smooth paste. You want to turn this into a thick dressing, so add the EVOO and 4-5 tbl of lemon juice, to your preference. Season to taste - it should have an amazing flavor of sweet peas, tangy lemon, fragrant mint and a softness and roundness from the cheese. A balance is good, bit you should also trust your own judgement - i generally like mine to be a bit more lemony, to cut through the smokiness of the pancetta. Mix the dressing with the fava beans and sprinkle this over 4 plates. Crumble the pancetta over, followed by a sprinkle of the almonds which can be crushed or bashed up a little. Tear a little mint over the top with a little shaved Parmesan if you like.

FAVA BEAN AND PEA SALAD WITH PECORINO PEA DRESSING



FAVA BEAN AND PEA SALAD WITH PECORINO PEA DRESSING image

Categories     Salad     Vegetable

Yield 4 people

Number Of Ingredients 13

Dressing:
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and left whole
• 150g/5½oz podded fresh peas or frozen can be used
• 70g/2½oz pecorino or Parmesan cheese, or a mixture of both, grated
• a handful of fresh mint, leaves picked
• 8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• juice of 1 or 2 lemons
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salad:
1 bag of frozen peas
1 bag or 8 oz of prepared fava beans
Try substituting lima beans for the fava beans.
Bunch of Arrugula

Steps:

  • Thaw a bag of frozen peas in a colander. Cook or rinse 8 oz of Fava beans ( Trader Joes currently carries steamed Fava beans in the deli section) Combine the peas and Beans and toss with the zest of 1 lemon and a splash of olive oil. Set aside and prepare the salad dressing. Combine the raw peas and the garlic clove in a blender or hand blender and mix until smooth. Add the cheese and most of the mint and stir or pulse to make a smooth paste. Add the olive oil and 4 to 5 tablespoons of lemon juice, to your preference. Season to taste. Mix the dressing with the peas and fava beans. Wash/dry the arrugula. Prepare a lemon vinagrette and minimally dress and toss it with the greens. Plate the arrugula and top with the pea/bean salad. . Tear a little mint over the top with a little shaved Parmesan if you like.

Tips:

  • Choose the freshest fava beans you can find. Look for beans that are plump and bright green.
  • Blanch the fava beans before using them. This will help to remove their skins and make them easier to digest.
  • Don't overcook the fava beans. They should be cooked until they are tender but still have a slight bite to them.
  • Use a variety of fresh herbs in your salad. This will add flavor and complexity.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses. Pecorino is a classic choice, but you can also use feta, goat cheese, or Parmesan.
  • Serve the salad immediately. This is when it will be at its best.

Conclusion:

Fava bean and pecorino salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you like your salad simple or complex, there is a recipe in this article that will suit you.

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