10/7/10

King Beans

beautiful fresh king beans (similar to fava beans)

If these aren't gorgeous beans, I don't know what are. I picked them up last Saturday at the Yao Cheng Farm stand at the Irvine Center Farmer's Market in Irvine, California. If you ever get a chance to go to this unassuming farmer's market, don't pass it up. The vendors are friendly, fun and the selection is crazy good.

Yao Cheng Farm
king beans just waiting for me to take them home

I enjoy talking with the farm stand owners whenever possible and getting their take on the best ways to enjoy their fruits and vegetables. In this case one of the daughters generously shared her favorite way to enjoy these beans. Unfortunately for me, I didn't exactly write it down and she was talking really fast and there were lots of people in line...so, this is half my recollection and half an adaptation by me.

Serves 2

Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 1/2 cups fresh king beans (or fresh fava beans)
1/4 medium white onion, chopped (I actually only just remembered that I should have added this, it would've been even better with onion)
8 large vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, halved
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 squash blossom blooms, chopped (optional)
kosher salt to taste
fresh cracked pepper to taste

Heat skillet to medium and add oil. Add beans and saute for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onions and saute another 2-3 minutes until onions are beginning to soften.

Turn heat to medium-high, add tomatoes, and garlic, and saute another 1-2 minutes. Lastly, add squash blossoms and saute another 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

about a minute left to cook
delicious!



4 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great day! I love getting produce from markets .... it gives cooking a whole other dimension of enjoyment.

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  2. Those beans are gorgeous! I love farmer's markets, I just wrote a whole post about how much I love them. They are so inspiring!

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  3. I am exploring more beans since I have to up the anty on my proteins, and was looking for Tepary recipes. I love fava beans, and finally got fresh ones this past year. They rock over the dried version. Salads rock with them as well! This sounds like you enjoyed facing them!

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  4. I got the same beans. It seemed expensive at the time, but being a gardener, I planted some and cooked the rest. The snails got all but one plant. Good thing. I wasn't prepared for what would be the biggest plant ever. Know the story of Jack and the beanstalk?, yeah, kinda like that!
    One plant will happily feed a family of four! (look at my blog, wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com)
    If you are interested in seed, I have some I would be happy to share. Only thing you will need is a very strong and very tall trellis or structure for it to grow. And, don't plant until spring...they take a long time to give up their bounty. And this is the first broadbean my Hubby loves!
    Nancy

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