One of my favourite things is popping the broad beans out of their fluffy pods. I love the smell. I used around 20 pods if not a few more to get enough beans for this meal. The more the merrier I say.
Ingredients
You will need (for two):
- Around 20 broad bean pods
- 4 rashers bacon
- 10-12 new potatoes, peeled and quartered (or halved depending on the size)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- Fresh herbs, small amounts of each (I used chives and mint), chopped
- Salt and pepper
- 1 small garlic clove, crushed
Method
Remove the broad beans from their pods and boil them in salted water for about 4 minutes.
Keep the water and then boil the potatoes until soft. Drain and put to one side.
When the beans have cooled you can begin one of the most satisfying pursuits imaginable. Squeeze the beans out of their grey, papery cases. Some will come out easily with just a small pinch whereas some require the insertion of a fingernail to get things moving.
Fry the bacon in a little oil until crispy.
Whisk together the oil, vinegar, herbs, seasoning and garlic to make the dressing.
Mix the potatoes, beans, bacon and dressing together and serve.
If you’re getting the mint from the garden, be careful to wash it first. Having an insect in your meal is extra protein that no one is likely to appreciate. Put the potatoes, bacon, broad beans and dressing together in a bowl. This is one of those meals that is equally good hot, cold or luke warm. I threw a few chopped spring onions in at the end too.
The first broad bean meal of the year means one thing to me, Summer is just round the corner.
All That I’m Eating
Looks damn good, and so easy to make. I see you are a “to pod” like myself sort of person.
To me it’s the bacon that really atracts me to this dish. Looks delicious.
This broad bean dish sounds fantastic! The beans from the Farmer’s Market look truly beautiful, but I’m sure once yours come into “adulthood” they’ll be just as pretty and delicious =)
Looks fab and the collar bacon sounds perfect. so much more taste than back bacon.
Gorgeous! Broad beans and mint scream summer which is just about to start around here as well!
Mmmm that looks like a lovely potato salad! I’ve never tried broad beans, but I would try them if they were served to me like that! 🙂
Broad bean, mint and bacon is the ultimate summer combination – will have to buy myself some beans today and get podding! I often add a little crumbled feta to a salad like this too – and mop it all up with crusty homemade bread. Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad you all enjoyed it. Hope you get hold of some broad beans soon!