In celebration of the feature we’re running on Broad Beans, ready for June’s main harvest, our friends over at Octopus Books have provided us with this amazing summer-time broad bean salad, perfect for the sweet early season beans.
The recipe is from the "The Seasoned Vegetarian" (we LOVE the title!).
Broad Bean Salad With Manchego & Mint
The Italians do magnificent things with broad beans, and early season fresh beans are a joy to behold. Then the Spanish do great things with Manchego cheese, which has become such a favourite of mine in recent years. They BOTH do brilliant things with lemons and olive oil, so this is a celebration of the genius of both countries and their food. Serve with a selection of yummy breads.
Place the shelled beans in a saucepan and cover with boiling water. Bring back to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for about 5 minutes, until the beans are just tender.
Drain the beans, toss in the olive oil and season. I like to let them sit in the oil for a good 10 minutes before serving the salad.
When you’re ready to serve, add the lemon juice, then toss in the cheese, mint leaves and watercress.
Feeds 4-6
1.8kg (4lb) fresh broad beans, shelled
100ml (31⁄2fl oz) good quality extra-virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
juice of 1 lemon
125g (41⁄2oz) Manchego cheese, finely sliced
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
bunch of watercress, trimmed
Enjoy!
Categories: recipes, seasonal eating
Now that, has me weak at the knees and my juices flowing
That is my kind of recipe. I lOVE manchego cheese. Mmmmm, thank you – mouth watering now, need to get breakfast (although not broad beans for brekkie perhaps!)
Does the author of this recipe (or anyone else!) know if manchego is made with animal or non-animal rennet? I had always assumed that it’s made with animal rennet so am surprised to see it in a vegetarian recipe………it would be great to find out that it is made with non-animal rennet in general, or that there is a veggie manchego available (and where!).
@Rebecca – I have searched and searched and can’t find a single bit of information about whether it’s possible to buy a vegan manchego … Check out this link from the Vegan Society for a list of vegan cheese suppliers: http://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/food/recipes/vegan-cheese/. We hope that helps!