ARTICHOKE AND FRESH FAVA BEAN STEW (Anginares kai Koukia Stifatho)
Artichokes and fava beans come to market in the spring in Greece. The farmer’s markets are filled with mountains of these rough-and- tumble “flowers”— artichokes are a distant relative of the daisy—and of the downy-skinned broad beans. This is a favorite dish and one that is strictly seasonal.
8-10 artichoke hearts, soaked in cold water for one hour 1/3 cup 350ºF. 1 1/2 cups chopped scallions 1 medium fennel bulb, quartered and thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 2 pounds fresh broad beans, shelled and rinsed Juice of 1 lemon 1 cup chopped fresh dill Salt and a dash of white pepper
Sauce: 1/4 cup Krinos Extra Virgin Olive Oil 5 teaspoons all-purpose flour Strained fresh juice of 1 lemon 1/2-1 teaspoon sugar 1-1 1/2 cups water Salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste
Steep the artichoke hearts in water for 1 hour.
Heat the olive oil in a stewing pot and sauté the scallions, fennel and garlic. Add the fava beans and toss to coat. Add lemon juice and enough water to coat the beans, and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
Add the artichokes to the pot, and continue simmering another 20 minutes, until tender. Add water if necessary. Five minutes before removing from heat, add dill and season with salt and white pepper.
Make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a separate saucepan and when it begins to bubble add the flour. Whisk quickly until the mixture is like a thick paste and changes color slightly. Add lemon juice, sugar, pan liquids from the artichokes and fava beans and a little water. Whisk the sauce until thick and creamy, about 7 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over vegetables and serve.
