Spiced and Crunchy Broad Beans

Hatty and I did a great W.I. swap the other day. I gave her some of the Gooseberry and Elderflower jam and she gave me some home grown broad beans. I've never really done anything with broad beans before and it was quite a glut, so I wondered if they could be made into a tasty snack... the answer was a resounding YES!

 

I found this recipe on the BBC food website. You will need:

 

• 200g fresh broad beans
• 50g plain flour
• 25g brown sugar
• Big pinch of salt
• Little sprinkle of cayenne pepper
• A twist of black pepper 
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• A glug (4 tbsps.) olive oil

If you beans are still in pods, open them up (by bending in half) and pop then out - I found this very satisfying. Then steam them for about 5 minutes.

 

Put all the ingredients in a bowl to make a batter and fully coat the beans in it. (I found that they didn't fully coat but I think this may have been because my beans were wet so maybe pat them dry after steaming).

 

 

Spread them out on a greased baking tray and bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees/gas mark 5 for 35 minutes.

 

As I said mine weren't fully coated and the batter did fall off a bit, but they are still delicious and a great snack or something to offer as alternative nibbles with drinks.

 

 

Emily x