Jul 7, 2014

Fresh fava bean guacamole bruschetta


Polish Summers with fresh fava beans... very much missed when living abroad. The season is very short, it's happening now and we can't get enough of them.  In any form...









Fresh fava bean guacamole bruschetta
by Gray Apron
time: 20 minutes preparation / 20 min cooling

ingredients
1 kg (2 lbs) fresh fava beans, already removed from hull; that's how I buy them
2 - 3 teaspoons salt for cooking beans
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium garlic clove, peeled and minced
2 green onions, white part included, chopped; about 3 Tablespoons;
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
bread, toasted
tomatoes, chopped

instructions
Wash the beans. Cook them in a large amount boiling water (like pasta) for 6 minutes, adding salt half way through cooking. Drain the beans and cool them under cold, running water. Remove the skins. Let the beans cool in the fridge for about 20 minutes. Place them in a container, add lemon juice and oil. Using a hand held immersion blender (or a food processor, mine is broken), blend it till smooth or almost smooth. Using a spoon or a spatula, mix in garlic, green onions and dill. Adjust seasoning. Keep refrigerated.

When ready to serve, spread fava bean guacamole on tasted bread. Drop tomatoes on top.

NOTES
  • my daily shopping routine these day includes getting a basket of strawberries and a bag of fava beans;
  • most of the time, we just eat them (beans) cooked, straight from a bowl, sometimes peeled, sometimes not (when still warm, skin is soft);
  • my peeling method: I make a small opening (if not opened already) with my nail on the smooth end of the bean and push the inside out of the skin; it slides right out; 
  • you can cook the beans ahead of time and then peel and mix them later;
  • it's better to use cooled beans for the guacamole; this way herbs, garlic or juice won't get warmed and cooked, the flavors will stay fresh;
  • I know, I probably shouldn't call it "guacamole" but it sure looks and taste like it, just not as greasy;
  • I've made enough of it for what you see on the pictures plus 6 more bruschettas.

40 comments:

  1. Hey Ela! The Bruschettas look absolutely delicious.. I have not tried fava beans before... cant wait to try this... :)

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  2. HI Ela, I am growing fava beans for the first time this year, pinning this recipe to try when they are ready to be picked, great idea, love it!

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  3. Fava beans are the greatest and so is avocado and so is bruschette, so basically this is everything I love on one plate. Yumm!

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  4. I cannot wait for these to be in season Ela so that I can try this recipe :)

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  5. Simple and absolutely delicious,Ela! I would love those for lunch today!

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  6. The season is over already here :( Thankfully my grandma bought, shelled and blanched a lot of them and put it in the freezer for me. I love the fresh fava beans in any way, especially cooked with artichokes. Your spread looks so lively! Look at that green color!

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  7. Wow, this looks so healthy and delicious Ela! The fava bean guacamole is such a unique and great idea - love this!

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  8. This sounds like a great idea, and I bet it doesn't turn brown like the avocado variety.

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  9. Oh I love this! Bruschetta of any sorts is so good and my favorite kind of light summer fare!

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  10. I love all beans and I love guacamole. This is such a wonderful idea!

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  11. In Greece fava we call a specific variety of peas. These are called koukia! This is such a wonderful idea!

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  12. These bruschettas look fantastic! I bought some fresh fava beans last week too, but simply boiled them in salted water...have to get some more from farmer market to make this too.

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  13. I love anything "bruschetta" and this is no exception. I wouldn't be able to stop eating.

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  14. Love the wonderful color or your bruschetta. Fava beans are very hard to find in my area. :( I I know I could substitute with lima beans but the flavor would be the same.

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  15. These sound so good, nice vibrant colours too.

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  16. I love fava beans and am always looking for new recipes to use them so this looks fantastic. :)
    Tina from www.tinaschic.com

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  17. I first thought those were avocado bruschettas.
    The beans have such an amazing, bright green color.
    These are very special bruschettas with a lovely Polish twist.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Oh that color! I don't find fava beans too often, but when next I do, I'll be trying this. The bread looks like a lovely grain bread too...yum!

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  19. Ela, I never thought of making guacamole bruschetta!! Looks so so delicious!

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  20. This looks delicious! Definitely my kind of snack :)

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  21. Anonymous7/08/2014

    Love bruschetta with guacamole its Definately table winning dish

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  22. What a delicious and beautiful bruschetta! Love your chocolate cake too!!!
    Hugs,sweet Ela!

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  23. Ela, you have the patience of a saint to peel fava beans! Lovely recipe, truly lovely.

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    Replies
    1. Not really, Liz. Maybe it's something about fava bean that grows in Poland, but the skin slides right off. Most of them are already open after boiling, so I use both hands. It is almost automatic :)

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  24. I love serving bruschetta and here is idea for rehearsal on Friday; Healthy and yummy!

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  25. Look beautiful!
    I love bruschettas!

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  26. That just screams summer to me!

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  27. What a gorgeous spread! I love the look of the fava-guacamole topped with tomatoes...just lovely!

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  28. I have yet to try fava beans as I have never seen fresh ones here. I need to try the farmers market and see if I can find them. I would love to try this!

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  29. Great looking bruschetta, love the use of fava beans. Not an ingredient I have explored much but now inspired.

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  30. What an absolutely beautiful looking appetizer! I love bruschetta and your take on it makes me want to try it SO badly--especially with the avocado :)

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  31. I adore fava bean and can't wait to try them like this, how special!

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  32. My heart is singing YES YES YES YES to this recipe. Loving how you used fava beans to make guac! Genius and delicious!

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  33. I love the idea of this guacamole! Fantastic and yes I think you should call it that :D Love everything about this recipe, I have never really known what to do with fava beans and I always give them a sideways glance in the shops now I am going to buy some.

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  34. Amazing bruschettas Ela! great combination to try on the bread... loving it

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  35. The colors are magnificent! What a wonderful and light summer appetizer!

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  36. This is so creative, I bet using fresh dill adds a nice flavor to this beautiful guacamole.

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  37. You peel these bad boys? Far out, patient much?! LOL! :)
    This is a really great recipe, like the bean gauc very much, pretty, fresh and healthy.

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  38. Delicious! Great party food.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  39. I have yet to find fresh fava beans in my area but if I did I would certainly make these! How deliciously beautiful they look.

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