Skip to main content

Fava Bean Pesto with Mint and Anchovy

This unusual pesto variation, adapted from a recipe by Colman Andrews in his book Flavors of the Riviera, cries out for grilled or roasted lamb, but you will discover many other ways to use it. In fact, it’s perfectly delicious on simple grilled bread with a glass of white wine or rosé.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

Salt
2 pounds fresh fava beans, in pods
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup packed fresh mint leaves
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
3-4 anchovy fillets, rinsed with cold water
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Fill a medium saucepan with water, add a little salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. While the water is heating, shell the fava beans. Blanch the beans for a minute or two in the boiling water, drain, then shock them in ice water. Peel the skins and set the beans aside. Crush the garlic, mint, and basil with 1/4 teaspoon salt, using a mortar and pestle, then work in the anchovy fillets. Add about 2 tablespoons olive oil, then the fava beans, adding a third at a time. Add 2 more tablespoons olive oil, then the cheese, and finish with the oil. Season to taste. Alternatively, you can blend all the ingredients in a food processor, adding the oil last in a slow, steady stream while the motor is running.

From Crescent City Cooking by Susan Spicer Copyright (c) 2007 by Susan Spicer Published by Knopf. Susan Spicer was born in Key West, Florida, and lived in Holland until the age of seven, when her family moved to New Orleans. She has lived there ever since, and is the owner of two restaurants, Bayona and Herbsaint. This is her first cookbook. Paula Disbrowe was the former Cowgirl Chef at Hart & Hind Fitness Ranch in Rio Frio, Texas. Prior to that, she spent ten years working as a food and travel writer. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Food & Wine, and Saveur, among other major publications.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.