Broad Beans with Dill Butter Recipe

Updated August 30, 2018

This is one of my go-to spring recipes. While asparagus, morels, and ramps tend to get all the attention, broad (fava) beans languish in obscurity, a shame given their grassy flavor, hearty texture, and the distinction of being one of the few beans we eat fresh out of the pod. They also have the fortune of playing quite well with dill.

The trick, if there is one to this recipe, is quality of ingredients. With so few of them, freshness is essential. Broad beans are best when they're young and the pods are tight, bright green—they barely require much cooking. And if you've been eyeing that fancy European butter and spendy Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, now is the time to splurge. You'll be rewarded with something completely fresh and satisfying.

Spice Hunting: Dill Weed

Recipe Details

Broad Beans with Dill Butter Recipe

Active 30 mins

Total 30 mins

Serves 4 servings

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Ingredients

12 cups water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 shallots, minced
1 pound broad (fava) beans (about 4 cups; 2 1/2 pounds in pods)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large bunch dill, minced
Lemon juice, if desired
Salt

Directions

Bring water to boil in a large pot and salt liberally. Add beans and boil until just tender (about 5 minutes). Drain beans and thoroughly rinse well under cold water.
Melt butter over medium-low heat heat in a large, straight-sided skillet, stir in shallots and salt liberally. Cook until shallots are very soft and aromatic, about five minutes, then add beans. Stir to coat beans with butter and cook for one minute, then add Parmesan, and stir until Parmesan melts.
Remove from heat and stir in dill. Add salt to taste and lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately.

This Recipe Appears In

Spice Hunting: Dill Weed

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
337	Calories
20g	Fat
31g	Carbs
12g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	337
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g	25%
Saturated Fat 12g	59%
Cholesterol 51mg	17%
Sodium 590mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate 31g	11%
Dietary Fiber 8g	27%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 6mg	30%
Calcium 123mg	9%
Iron 2mg	14%
Potassium 489mg	10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.