In the vibrant culinary landscape of the Mediterranean, a delightful symphony of flavors awaits in the form of the Mediterranean Artichoke and Fresh Fava Stew. This savory dish, deeply rooted in tradition, showcases the region's bountiful produce and embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
As spring graces the land, fresh fava beans emerge, their vibrant green pods bursting with tender, nutty goodness. Artichokes, with their intricate leaves and delicate hearts, add a touch of sophistication and a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of the fava beans.
This flavorful stew is a delightful harmony of textures, colors, and aromas. The artichokes, gently braised, yield a tender and succulent bite, while the fava beans retain their delightful crunch. The addition of aromatic herbs, such as thyme, oregano, and bay leaves, infuses the stew with an earthy fragrance that awakens the senses.
A splash of white wine adds a touch of acidity and depth of flavor, while fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, cutting through the richness of the broth. As the stew simmers, the flavors meld together, creating a delectable symphony that is both comforting and invigorating.
Served over a bed offluffy rice or crusty bread, the Mediterranean Artichoke and Fresh Fava Stew becomes a feast for the senses. Its vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and symphony of flavors make it a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
This article offers two variations of this delectable stew to tantalize your taste buds. The first recipe presents the traditional method, employing a stovetop and a Dutch oven to create the perfect balance of flavors. The second recipe introduces a modern twist, utilizing a slow cooker to effortlessly craft this flavorful dish, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop their flavors over time.
Whether you prefer the classic stovetop method or the convenience of the slow cooker, both recipes will guide you through the process of creating this Mediterranean delight. So embark on a culinary journey, gather your ingredients, and prepare to savor the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean Artichoke and Fresh Fava Stew.
FAVA BEAN, PEA, AND ARTICHOKE STEW
Steps:
- Prepare fava beans:
- Blanch beans in a 2-quart pot of boiling water 1 minute, then drain in a sieve and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Gently peel off skins (it's not necessary to peel edamame, if using).
- Prepare artichokes:
- Fill a large bowl with 4 cups cold water and squeeze juice from 2 lemon halves into bowl.
- Cut off stem of 1 artichoke and reserve. Cut off top inch of artichoke with a serrated knife. Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips.
- Cut remaining leaves flush with top of artichoke bottom using a paring knife, then quarter bottom. Cut out fuzzy choke and purple leaves with paring knife. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and side of artichoke, then rub cut surfaces with a remaining lemon half and put artichoke bottom in bowl of acidulated water.
- Trim 1/4 inch from end of reserved stem to expose inner core, then trim sides of stem down to pale inner core (don't worry if remaining stem is very thin). Rub cut surfaces with lemon half and put in bowl of acidulated water. Trim remaining artichokes, including stems, in same manner.
- Prepare stew:
- Drain artichokes and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, including stems. Cook guanciale and onion in oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 6 minutes. Add sliced artichokes, fava beans, and remaining ingredients and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.
VEAL STEW WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS, FAVA BEANS, AND PEAS
Steps:
- Place the aromatics on a large piece of cheesecloth, gather the edges to enclose, and tie with kitchen twine.
- Prepare an ice-water bath in a large bowl for shocking the beans (which stops the cooking and preserves their color). Drop the fava beans into a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and just tender, about 2 minutes. Lift out the beans with a slotted spoon (or a spider) and plunge into the ice-water bath. Once they are thoroughly cool, drain and peel off the tough outer skins.
- Pour the wine into a large saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute (to cook off some of the alcohol). Add veal, water, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and skim the foam from the surface with a slotted spoon (veal produces more surface foam than other meats, so this step is important). Add herb sachet and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook, uncovered, 1 hour, skimming the surface frequently. Add artichoke hearts to the pot, submerging them partially in the liquid. Cook until the artichokes and veal are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 20 to 25 minutes more, adding peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Remove the sachet and squeeze out the liquid into the pot. Then strain the contents of the pot through a fine sieve into a bowl or large measuring cup, reserving veal, artichokes, and peas. You should have about 3 cups liquid.
- Wipe out the pot and return it to the stove. First, make a roux by melting the butter over medium heat until foamy, swirling the pan to melt evenly, then whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Next, make a veloute by whisking the reserved liquid into the roux and bringing to a boil (again, always whisking), cooking until the mixture is smooth. (Classic culinary teaching would have you whisk cold stock into a hot roux, or vice versa, to prevent the sauce from forming lumps, but that isn't necessary as long as you whisk diligently.) Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
- Whisk together the egg yolk, if using, and heavy cream, then temper by gradually whisking in a cup of the veloute (this will allow the egg to gently heat so it doesn't curdle). Now whisk everything back into the pot and cook over gentle heat until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, 1 to 2 minutes. (If you prefer, omit the egg and whisk the cream directly into the veloute in the pan.)
- Return the veal, artichokes, and peas to the pot along with the peeled favas and cook gently to heat through, stirring. Add lemon juice. Serve garnished with dill and parsley.
SLOW COOKER MEDITERRANEAN BEEF WITH ARTICHOKES
A nice warm dish served over pasta.
Provided by JennaBee
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Beef
Time 7h28m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook beef in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes per side.
- Transfer beef to a slow cooker. Cover with artichoke hearts, onion, and garlic. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Stir in olives, oregano, parsley, basil, cumin, bay leaf.
- Cook on Low until beef is tender, about 7 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 416.2 calories, Carbohydrate 14.1 g, Cholesterol 83.5 mg, Fat 26.2 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 29.9 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 1452.8 mg, Sugar 5.3 g
MEDITERRANEAN ARTICHOKE STEW
A zesty, hearty dish that is delicious both hot AND cold. Artichokes, lemon, and some spices make up the base of the flavor, and the addition of potatoes and garbanzo beans (chickpeas) add substance. Wonderful served with just a fresh green salad. I adapted this from a Madhur Jaffrey recipe from "World Vegetarian" ("Artichokes Stewed with Potatoes," labeled as Moroccan) by adjusting the spices a little bit and adding the chickpeas.
Provided by DaphneM
Categories Stew
Time 27m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Peel and dice potatoes into 1" or so chunks. Put in a medium (3 quart or so) pot along with the frozen artichokes.
- Drain and rinse the can of chickpeas and add to the pot. Halve the lemon and either squeeze it on a juicer, or pick out as many seeds as possible and squeeze directly into the pot. Add olive oil, spices, and water (you want it to just barely cover the solid ingredients).
- Stir ingredients in pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for about 20 minutes, either covered or uncovered - if you want it to be soupier, cover the pot, but if you want a lot of the liquid to evaporate and be more like a stew, leave it uncovered. Stir occasionally. You can always cook it longer than 20 minutes if you like your potatoes very soft, and they will absorb more flavor the longer you cook. Really, it is hard to overcook this dish.
VEAL STEW WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS, FAVA BEANS, AND PEAS
Steps:
- Prepare sachet d'epice Place the aromatics on a large piece of cheesecloth, gather the edges to enclose, and tie with kitchen twine.
- Blanch favas Prepare an ice-water bath in a large bowl for shocking the beans (which stops the cooking and preserves their color). Drop the fava beans into a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and just tender, about 2 minutes. Lift out the peas with a slotted spoon (or a spider) and plunge into the ice-water bath. Once they are thoroughly cool, drain and peel off the tough outer skins.
- Cook veal and artichokes Pour the wine into a large saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute (to cook off some of the alcohol). Add veal, water, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and skim the foam from the surface with a slotted spoon (veal produces more surface foam than other meats, so this step is important). Add herb sachet and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook, uncovered, 1 hour, skimming the surface frequently. Add artichokes to the pot, submerging them partially in the liquid. Cook until the artichokes and veal are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 20 to 30 minutes more, adding peas during last 3 minutes of cooking. Remove the sachet and squeeze out the liquid into the pot. Then strain the contents of the pot through a fine sieve into a bowl or large measuring cup, reserving veal, artichokes, and peas. You should have about 3 cups liquid.
- Thicken sauce Wipe out the pot and return it to the stove. First, make a roux by melting the butter over medium heat until foamy, swirling the pan to melt evenly, then whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Next, make a velouté by whisking the reserved liquid into the roux and bringing to a boil (again, always whisking), cooking until the mixture is smooth. (Classic culinary teaching would have you whisk cold stock into a hot roux, or vice versa, to prevent the sauce from forming lumps, but that isn't necessary as long as you whisk diligently.) Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
- Make liaison (optional) Whisk together the egg yolk, if using, and heavy cream, then temper by gradually whisking in a cup of the velouté (this will allow the egg to gently heat so it doesn't curdle). Now whisk everything back into the pot and cook over gentle heat until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, 1 to 2 minutes. (If you prefer, omit the egg and whisk the cream directly into the velouté in the pan.)
- Serve Return the veal, artichokes, and peas to the pot along with the peeled favas and cook gently to heat through, stirring. Season with salt and pepper. Add lemon juice and chopped dill or parsley to taste.
- Ingredients
- This stew is best made in spring when all the ingredients are in season, but in a pinch, substitute frozen peas, fava beans, and even artichoke hearts, adding all at the end, just to heat through.
- BLANQUETTE DE VEAU
- Omit fava beans, peas, and artichokes. Once the veal has cooked for 1 hour and 20 minutes, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 8 ounces small white button mushrooms and 6 ounces blanched and peeled pearl onions (page 31), tossing to combine. Pour in 1/4 cup stock from the stew and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are cooked through and the stock has reduced to a syrupy glaze, about 9 minutes. Finish with the liaison, then return veal to the pot along with the vegetables.
SLOW COOKER SPINACH-ARTICHOKE CHICKEN STEW
This creamy braised chicken stew is inspired by spinach-artichoke dip. It is comfort food to be sure, but white wine, marinated artichokes and fresh dill keep it from veering too rich. Serve it with pita or tortilla chips if you'd like to keep with the theme. If you don't have time to sauté the vegetables, skip to Step 2, and add the butter, onion, celery and garlic, directly to the slow cooker. You can also prepare a stovetop version of this recipe in just under one hour.
Provided by Sarah DiGregorio
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 4h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and garlic and stir until softened and fragrant, adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid scorching, about 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker.
- Add the chicken thighs, stock, wine and lemon juice to the slow cooker. Season with the red-pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper; mix well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. At this point, the dish can hold on the warm setting for several hours.
- About 20 minutes before you are ready to eat, add the frozen spinach and the artichoke hearts to the slow cooker. Cook on low until the spinach is hot and can be stirred into the stew. (For spinach that comes frozen in a block, this can take 15 to 20 minutes; frozen cut spinach in a bag takes less time to defrost and cook.)
- Add the cream cheese and dill, and stir until the cream cheese melts.
- Using the back of a spoon, press the chicken against the side of the pot to break it up into pieces. Taste and add more salt and black pepper, if necessary. Divide the stew among bowls and top with scallions and Parmesan.
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients in advance:Fresh produce, herbs, and spices are key ingredients in this recipe, so make sure to wash and chop them before you start cooking. This will save you time and ensure that everything is cooked evenly.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven: This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the stew from burning.
- Don't overcrowd the pot: If you're using a smaller pot, cook the stew in batches. Overcrowding the pot will prevent the ingredients from cooking evenly.
- Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer: This will help to develop the flavors and tenderize the vegetables.
- Season to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also adjust the heat level by adding more or less chili powder.
- Serve with crusty bread or rice: This will help to soak up the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
This Mediterranean artichoke and fresh fava stew is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices creates a flavorful and satisfying dish. Serve it with crusty bread or rice, and you'll have a meal that the whole family will love.
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