Many of spring’s most delicious luxuries – like cherries and fava beans – have a very narrow window of opportunity. Favas are a labor of love because they require double shelling, but they are so worth it. This delicious fava bean salad pairs beautifully with bubbly and clean, crisp Chardonnay. Serves four.
Ingredients
2 lbs fresh fava beans
6-8 red or white spring onions
3 lemons, sliced into medium size rounds
1 large head or 2 medium size crisp butter leaf lettuce, washed and well dried
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
3 T. red wine vinegar
2 plump shallots, peeled and diced small
3-4 tbs snipped chives, and or fresh spearmint, leaves torn
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Pinch of smoked paprika
How To Make
1
To make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, add the shallots, season with sea salt and pepper, add 2 T. of red wine vinegar, whisk, then whisk in about 1/2 cup EVOO. Taste for balance and seasoning. Set aside.
2
For the salad: Shell, blanch and peel the favas. Pat dry and refrigerate.
3
Wash, dry and trim the onion, leaving about half of the green tops.
4
Brush the onions and lemon rounds generously with olive oil. Season with sea salt and several grinds of black pepper and sprinkle with the smoked paprika.
5
Over a gas grill, charcoal grill or hot, stove top cast iron pan, grill the onions and lemons for 3-5 minutes per side, until tender but not mushy. Set aside.
6
Either in a medium size salad bowl, or on four plates, add or divvy up the lettuce. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
7
Slice and add the grilled onions and lemons.
8
Toss the favas with a bit of the shallot vinaigrette. Add to salad bowl and toss gently or distribute generously onto plates.
9
Shower the salad with snipped herbs. Drizzle with more vinaigrette. Enjoy!
