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Fava Bean and Arugula Salad with Shaved Pecorino
A light, elegant Italian spring salad with tender fava beans, peppery arugula, paper-thin shavings of aged Pecorino Romano, and a sharp lemon vinaigrette. This is the kind of salad served at the finest Roman trattorias in May when both favas and the young arugula are at their peak. Simple ingredients, impeccable execution.
Fava Bean is usually ready June to July. More fava bean recipes, or see what to sow this month where you are.
Ingredients
- fresh fava beans
- wild arugula or baby arugula
- Pecorino Romano
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
- extra-virgin olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- honey
- flaky sea salt and black pepper
- fresh mint leaves
Contains: milk, mustard.
Method
- Blanch double-peeled fava beans in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Pat dry.
- Make the vinaigrette: whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified.
- In a large salad bowl, combine arugula, fava beans, and torn mint leaves.
- Drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
- Transfer to a serving platter and scatter Pecorino shavings over the top.
- Finish with flaky sea salt and a generous grind of black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
- Use a vegetable peeler to create wide, thin shavings of Pecorino that will drape over the salad beautifully.
- Dress the salad at the very last minute — arugula wilts quickly once dressed.
Ring the changes
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a more colorful version.
Keeping it
This salad does not store well once dressed. Keep the vinaigrette, fava beans, and greens separate and assemble just before serving.
In the app this recipe finds you
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A luxurious Italian risotto that celebrates spring by stirring in double-peeled fava beans and fresh mint at the finish, preserving their bright color and sweet flavor against the creamy, Parmesan-enriched rice. The key to perfect risotto is patience — adding warm stock gradually and stirring continuously to draw out the starch.
1 h · challenging · Fava Bean
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