Lemon-Braised Artichokes with Fava Beans
A light and flavorful springtime dish featuring tender artichokes and fresh fava beans, infused with lemon, dill, and fennel for a classic Mediterranean taste.
A light and flavorful springtime dish featuring tender artichokes and fresh fava beans, infused with lemon, dill, and fennel for a classic Mediterranean taste.
Info
Prep Time:
15mCook Time:
30mDifficulty Level:
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 8 fresh artichokes
- 600 g fresh fava beans
- 7-8 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bunch dill, chopped
- ½ bunch fennel, chopped
- 1 tbsp flour
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Trim the artichokes and immediately place them in a bowl of water with 1 tbsp coarse salt and the juice of 1 lemon to prevent oxidation.
Remove any fibrous strings from the fava bean pods.
Blanch them in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain.
Heat half the olive oil in a wide, shallow pot. Add the chopped onion and sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the spring onions, artichokes, and fava beans. Lightly sauté for 2 minutes.
Pour in 2 cups of warm water, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add salt, pepper, the remaining olive oil, dill, and fennel. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the juice of 2 lemons until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pot and gently stir to thicken the sauce.
Turn off the heat and leave the pot covered for 10 minutes to allow the sauce to set.
Recipe Tips
To keep the artichokes bright and prevent them from turning brown while cooking, add a little lemon juice and flour (or 1 tbsp of vinegar) to the water you boil them in. If you want a thicker, silkier sauce, uncover the pot during the last 5 minutes of cooking so that some of the liquid evaporates and the dish thickens naturally.