Recipe Creation: Smashed Fava Beans with Lemon Zest

I am having a little love affair with fava beans at the moment.  They are a bit of a labor of love, but well worth it.  Knowing that they have a short season also motivates me to cook them as much as I can.  I've grilled them, boiled them, and sautéed them, but this is by far my favorite preparation.  The smashed little beans make a perfect side or bruschetta topping.  Hurry and snatch these up at the farmer's market before you miss your chance!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fava beans, outer pod removed
• 1-2 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp maldon sea salt

Directions:

-Bring a medium pot of water to boil.
-Add fava beans and cook for 3-4 minutes.
-Remove from heat and place favas in a bowl of ice water.
-Peel inner shells off the fava beans and discard.
-Place the favas in a bowl with the olive oil and mash with a fork.
-Top with lemon zest and a sprinkling of sea salt.

~Enjoy~

Recipe (Re)creation: Burrata Summer Salad

Happy 4th of July!  I made this lovely little salad for a BBQ I threw over the weekend and it disappeared within minutes.  I based it on this recipe from What's Gaby Cooking.  The key to the salad is fresh, seasonal ingredients.  Look for white peaches, colorful heirloom tomatoes, basil, and fresh white corn at the farmer's market.  With the basil in particular, the smell alone will make you swoon.  When you buy the burrata, make sure its packed in salted water in a little plastic baggy.  It is best when eaten within 24 hours but that shouldn't be a problem.  I guarantee this salad will be gone well before the fireworks can attempt steal its thunder.

Ingredients:

• 2 ears of white corn, shucked and cut off the cob
• 3 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
• 2 white peaches
• 5 ounces burrata, torn
• 6 large basil leaves, sliced thinly
• Sea salt flakes (Maldon is best)
• Balsamic reduction

Directions:

-Assemble all vegetable and fruit ingredients in a large bowl.

-Top with creamy bits of burrata and fresh basil slices.

-Sprinkle with sea salt flakes and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

-Serve (and devour) immediately.