Easy Broad Bean Recipe – How to Cook Fresh Fava Beans

Have you tried Fava Beans before? Fava beans are also called broad beans! In Sichuan we call them “Hu Dou” or “Can Dou”. Fava beans are introduced to China during the Han dynasty and it is very popular locally in Sichuan. Fresh broad beans are a popular appetizer in Sichuan and they are served in a spicy and sour sauce made with fresh chilies or chili oil, vinegar and soy sauce.

The famous “soul of Sichuan food” doubanjiang is made with dried fava beans. The dried fava beans are washed then lay in air to mold. Then soaked in liquor before being added to the fermentation jar.  They are delicious fresh and you can buy them from frozen too! Fava beans are also high in fiber and protein, a great addition to your vegetarian menu as well.

Fresh fava beans come in huge pods and you can easily extract them from the pods. If you are using fresh fava beans in pods, you’ll need 2 lbs to extract enough fava beans for this dish. If you buy a bag of frozen fava beans, 2/3 of the bag should be sufficient.

How to cook fava beans?

Simply bring a pot of water to boil and add the fava beans. Cook for 4-5 minutes. For frozen broad beans, cook for 10 minutes.

Drain the fava beans and add your favorite sauce.

Watch full video instruction:

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Sichuan Broad Bean Salad (Fava Beans Recipe)

This broad bean salad features fresh fava beans from pods. A spicy and sour sauce is added to the cooked fava beans.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 2 people

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

  

• 2 lb fresh fava beans in pods
• 2 Hot green chili
• 5 Thai Chili (red)
• 3 Garlic
• 1 handful Cilantro
• 1 tbsp Fermented black beans
• 2 tbsp Cooking oil
• 2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Sugar
• 2 tsp Soy sauce
• 2 tsp Vinegar
• 1/4 tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder
• 1 tsp Sesame seeds

Method

 

1. Extract broad beans from pods
2. Bring a pot of water to boil, cook broad beans for 4-5 minutes, take out and set in a large mixing bowl.
3. Finely chop green chili, Thai chili, garlic, cilantro. Coarsely chop fermented black beans.
4. In a wok, add 2 tbsp cooking oil. Drop in half of the green chilies, half of the Thai chilies, and half of minced garlic. Stir until fragrant.
5. Add in fermented black beans. Then add 2 tsp of chili powder. Stir on medium low heat until red oil comes out. Turn off the heat and transfer the sauce into a bowl. 
6. Add the rest of garlic,  Thai chili and green chilies. Season with salt, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, Sichuan peppercorn powder and sesame seeds. Mix well. 
7. Pour the seasoning sauce into the broad bean container. Mix the sauce well with broad beans. Drop in cilantro.  Mix and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes before serving. You can also refrigerate it before eating for a cold plate.

Video