Broad Bean Pate

I love broad beans and this is a lovely, fresh tasting pate.  Broad beans are also know as fava beans which are often found in Middle Eastern dishes.  I like the green colour of this and food should be pretty to the eye, as well as delicious to the tongue.   There are many versions of broad bean hummus, but I found this one on http://kelliesfoodtoglow.com/ which used Zatar, a spice that is often used in the Middle East.  I moan about not getting a decent Zatar outside of the Middle East and have to settle for supermarket varieties – bah!   I used to have a jar in my kitchen from a Lebanese friend’s mother…best Zatar so far.   The search will always continue though! 

You could change this by adding Parmesan cheese and a little extra olive oil, almost making a pesto out of it.  Just enjoy the lovely colour and use it slathered over some flat bread (gluten free and low carb, natch!) or as a dip.

INGREDIENTS

500g broad beans

1 garlic clove, chopped

2-3 tblspn olive oil

Juice of half a lemon

2 tspn Zatar

METHOD

• Place the broad beans in a saucepan of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 7 minutes.   Drain and leave to cool.
• Once cool, pop the beans out of their shells.
• Place in a processor with all of the other ingredients.
• Blend and season to taste.
• Eat and enjoy!
• Serves 2-4