Okay, gather 'round foodies! Let's talk about a dish that totally threw me for a loop, in the best possible way: Greek Fava. Now, when I first heard 'fava,' my brain went straight to those green fava beans, you know the ones? And don't even get me started on Hannibal Lecter and his... um... unique pairing with fava beans. Turns out, we're not talking about those beans at all!
Greek Fava is this golden, sunshine-yellow spread made from humble yellow split peas. Yes, the same ones that grow on the stunning island of Santorini. How cool is that? This isn't just any spread; it's a total flavor bomb, perfect for scooping up with warm bread, some crunchy veggie sticks, or if you're feeling adventurous, just a spoon!
What's even more amazing is that while it's 100% plant-based, it somehow manages to smell like roast chicken while it cooks. I know, crazy right? But trust me on this, the taste is pure comfort and joy. It's the perfect dish to bring a little sunshine into your day. The Greeks really know their stuff!
Speaking of sunshine, did you know that Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) is a big deal in Greece? It marks the start of Orthodox Lent, and it’s all about big, mostly vegetarian feasts. Fava is a star dish at these gatherings! It’s also traditionally a kite-flying day, which is super fun… if the weather cooperates. Unfortunately, this year, my hopes of taking a photo of vibrant kites against a clear blue sky were dashed. Oh well, more reason to focus on the delicious food instead!
So, are you ready to bring a little piece of Greece to your kitchen? Here’s the super easy recipe:
Yields: 4 as mezze Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups yellow split peas
- 1 ½ small red onions, divided
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Approximately 3 ½ cups of water, including herb infusion
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, to serve
- 2 tbsp capers, to serve
Instructions:
- Start by making a simple herb infusion. Put the oregano and thyme in a tea strainer, then steep in boiling water for a few minutes.
- Rinse the split peas well. Then place them into a pot with the herb-infused water, plus enough regular water to make 3 ½ cups total of liquid. Add two quarters of a red onion and the bay leaf.
- Bring to a simmer and cook covered on low heat until the peas are completely soft. This will take around 20 minutes.
- While the peas cook, finely chop the remaining onion. Saute it in olive oil until it's nice and caramelized.
- Once cooked, place the peas on a sieve to drain excess liquid. Keep the liquid – you might need it to loosen the texture later.
- Blend the peas and the caramelized onion until smooth using an immersion blender. (I like a milder onion flavor, so I blend only half the caramelized onion with the peas and discard the rest)
- Add the lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend again.
- Serve warm, drizzled with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, topped with the sauteed red onion, and capers. Feel free to add other toppings like a sprinkle of chopped parsley or a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick.
Nutritional Info (per serving approx.):
- Calories: 268
- Sugars: 3 g
- Fats: 1 g
- Saturates: 0 g
- Proteins: 18 g
- Carbs: 49 g
Get ready to fall in love with this creamy, dreamy Greek Fava! It's a delicious, nutritious, and surprisingly easy dish that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're planning a mezze feast or just want a healthy snack, this recipe has got you covered. Happy cooking everyone!