Broad beans are the harbingers of spring. Sure, all that podding (and double podding) is fiddly, but the results, we think, are well worth the effort. They work beautifully in spring-ready salads and longer-form braises (Greg Malouf’s broad bean and chickpea stew is especially good), or crushed on toast for an easy breakfast or lunch solution. Plus, they’re an essential ingredient to falafel.
Cook them into fritters or flash-fry them quickly in a pan with chilli and toss them through orecchiette for a colourful pasta dish, broad beans are one versatile legume. Stir through risotto and top with a simple drizzle of olive oil for a complete meal, or smash and spread them on crunchy sourdough toast for a hearty breakfast.
Time to get shelling.
Sicilian artichoke, broad bean and pecorino salad
We know how finicky preparing whole artichokes can be, so we assure you that using marinated artichokes makes an equally delicious salad.
Brae’s barbecued octopus with lemon, broad beans and their leaves
A seafood dish that sings with spring.
Pea, broad bean and torn bread salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller quick Spanish recipe for pea, broad bean and torn bread salad.
Squid and broad bean salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller fast recipe for squid and broad bean salad
Lentil, mint and broad bean salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for lentil, mint and broad bean salad from Alfred & Constance.
Tony Tan’s five-spiced ‘smoked’ fish with broad bean salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller and Tony Tan Chinese main course recipe for five-spiced ‘smoked’ fish with broad bean salad
Tony Tan’s eggplant and broad beans with soy-sesame dressing
You love eggplant but you’re short on time. This is the recipe for you.
Braised broad beans and peas
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for braised broad beans and peas.
Neil Perry and Richard Purdue’s globe artichoke and broad bean tagine
From the Margaret chefs comes this vegetarian take on tagine, packed with spring vegetables.
Fior di latte, pea, broad bean and lemon salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for fior di latte, pea, broad bean and lemon salad.
Salade printemps with goat’s curd and herb vinaigrette
Creamy goat’s curd and crisp spring vegetables come together in this herbaceous French salad.
La vignarola (Roman spring stew)
Broad beans, artichokes and asparagus, gently simmered in broth, then scattered with herbs. This is a dish made for spring.
Fried tortillas with broad beans, feta and lime
Crisp tortillas, creamy feta and avocado, green leaves and dainty edible flowers all dressed up with coriander and lime. Think nachos, but spring-salad style.
Stir-fried broad beans with Chinese bacon (La rou chao candou)
Chinese recipe for stir-fried broad beans with Chinese bacon (La rou chao candou) by Tony Tan.
Osteria Illaria’s grilled fennel and asparagus salad
“Fennel’s flavour changes dramatically as you grill it, and it gives it more depth,” says Andreas Papadakis.
Greg Malouf’s burrata with broad bean and chickpea stew
Greg Malouf’s take on ful medames, with the addition of creamy burrata.
Poached chicken, broad bean, radish and young garlic salad
A glass of citrusy Tasmanian riesling and poached chicken with spring vegetables make ideal partners.
Chorizo, broad beans and Manchego
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for chorizo, broad beans and Manchego.
Guillaume Brahimi’s blue-eye trevalla with Jerusalem artichokes, broad beans and chicken jus
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for blue-eye trevalla with Jerusalem artichokes, broad beans and chicken jus by Guillaume Brahimi.
Pink snapper with braised peas and broad beans
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for fast pink snapper with braised peas and broad beans.
Mike McEnearney’s crushed broad bean, grilled asparagus, pecorino and sorrel tartine
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for crushed broad bean, grilled asparagus, pecorino and sorrel tartine by Mike McEnearney from Mike’s Kitchen in NSW.
Tabbouleh of spring beans, seeds and nuts
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Tabbouleh of spring beans, seeds and nuts
Broad bean, crisp pancetta and poached egg salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for broad bean, crisp pancetta and poached egg salad by Alex Kearns from Neutral Bay Bar & Dining and Glebe Point Diner.
Danielle Alvarez’s farro with broad beans, ricotta salata, mint and lovage
Recipe for farro with broad beans, ricotta salata, mint and lovage by Danielle Alvarez.
Pugliese broad bean purée with boiled chicory (fave e cicoria)
Australian Gourmet Traveller Italian appetiser recipe for Pugliese broad bean purée with boiled chicory (fave e cicoria).
Falafel
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for falafel.
Confit duck with white beans, speck and broad beans
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for confit duck with white beans, speck and broad beans by Press Food & Wine in Adelaide.
Pinbone’s peas, beans, ricotta and mint bruschetta
Once you realise how easy – and downright tasty – making your own focaccia is, there’ll be no turning back.
Oregano-braised lamb shanks with broad beans, peas and orzo
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for oregano-braised lamb shanks with broad beans, peas and orzo.
Lamb neck with artichokes, broad beans and peas
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for lamb neck with artichokes, broad beans and peas.
Grilled sourdough with ’nduja, smashed broad beans and green garlic
Recipe for grilled sourdough with ’nduja, smashed broad beans and green garlic.
Insalata primavera
This versatile spring salad mixes and matches seasonal green vegetables for the optimal combination of textures and flavours. Experiment to your heart’s content.
Miso broth with broad beans and tofu
A vegetarian broth that still packs a umami punch.
Dave Pynt’s pea, bean and shallot salad
Pea, bean and shallot salad recipe – Blanch all peas and broad beans in a large saucepan of salted boiling water until bright green (30-40 seconds).
Casarecce with spring vegetables and pancetta
We can’t get enough of broad beans and asparagus in spring. Simply toss with pasta and you have dinner sorted.
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