Simple Sautéed Fava Beans with Garlic & Lemon

1. 1
   prep

   Shell the fava beans.

   Remove the beans from their pods. If using fresh fava beans, you'll need about 1.5 lb in pods to yield 1.5 cups of shelled beans. Set the shelled beans aside.

2. 2
   boil · ~2 min

   Blanch the fava beans.

   1.Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add a pinch of salt.

   2.Drop in the shelled fava beans and boil for 1 minute.

   3.Drain immediately and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking.

   4.Once cool, drain again and pinch each bean to slip off the pale outer skin, revealing the bright green inner bean.
3. 3
   saute · ~2 min

   Sauté garlic until golden.

   1.Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

   2.Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring gently, until it turns pale golden at the edges and fragrant (about 1 to 2 minutes).

   3.Watch closely — garlic burns fast and turns bitter.

   TIPDon't let the garlic brown — golden is the sweet spot for a mellow, nutty flavor.
4. 4
   saute · ~3 min

   Add fava beans and red pepper flakes.

   1.Tip the blanched and peeled fava beans into the skillet.

   2.Add the pinch of red pepper flakes.

   3.Toss everything together and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the beans are heated through and lightly coated in the garlic oil.
5. 5
   mix · ~1 min

   Finish with lemon, salt, and parsley.

   1.Remove the skillet from heat.

   2.Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the beans.

   3.Sprinkle with the finishing pinch of salt, fresh black pepper, and chopped parsley.

   4.Toss gently to combine.
6. 6
   serve

   Serve warm or at room temperature.

   Transfer to a serving dish. These beans taste great warm right out of the pan, or at room temperature as part of an antipasti spread. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil if you like.

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