snacks:

broad bean, mint and feta dip

Published 6th November 2018

The broad beans in our garden have gone crazy in the past few weeks, so we have plenty to get through. This dip is a great way to use up a good amount of broad beans.

Every year we have planted broad beans, we have had great success, although, they always seem to come later in Spring, making it tricky for getting the Summer veggies in. Some of our favourite ways to use broad beans are in a salad, in a Spring vegetable pasta dish or in our favourite meatball recipe out of Ottolenghi’s Jerusalem Cookbook.

I first made a dip similar to this a couple of years ago, but I have refined it and this recipe is the better version. It’s creamy, light and tasty with a hint of garlic, but not so much that it lingers for hours and a touch of mint which adds a freshness to the mouth, but not in the way that toothpaste does.

 
 
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Broad beans have 2 shells, one which needs removing, one which doesn’t. The outer shell, which is really a pod and the inner shell, which is more visible once cooked or blanched, and does not need to be removed to be eaten. I normally leave this shell on as it provides extra fibre and it is quite time consuming to remove, but in this recipe, it needs to be removed… sorry!

The kids have really enjoyed de-podding the broad beans and do an excellent job at it. I have been setting them up at the table with the scraps bin and a bowl and a pile of broad beans and they happily de-pod them all while I am in the kitchen cooking. Super helpful!

This dip is great on its own with veggie sticks or crackers, as an addition to a cheese and dip platter, spread on bread or even dolloped on top of a cous cous salad.

Enjoy xx.

 
 
 
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Ingredients:

  • 500g de-podded broad beans, fresh or frozen

  • 1 small clove garlic, crushed

  • 100g smooth feta (I used Lemnos)

  • 2 tbs chopped mint

  • 1-2 tbs lemon juice

  • 20g grated parmesan cheese

  • Salt and pepper

 

Method:

  1. Cover the broad beans with boiling water and allow to sit for 3-4 minutes. Refresh under cold water.

  2. Remove the shell of the broad beans. Keep the bean, discard the shell.

  3. Place the beans and remaining ingredients, except lemon juice into a food processor and blitz for 30 seconds. Remove the lid and scrape down the sides.

  4. Add 1 tbs of lemon juice and blitz again until well combined. Add more lemon juice until you have the desired consistency. It should be thick dip.

  5. Place into bowl and serve with veggie sticks and crackers.

  6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.