Fava Beans And Seared Zucchini With Garlicky Croutons Recipes

Steps:

• Remove fava beans from pods. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and submerge beans for 1 minute, then drain and chill in cold water. Slit translucent skin of each bean and discard. Test a bean for tenderness: if hard, simmer for 2 to 8 minutes, until tender. Cover and refrigerate until needed, up to 2 days.
• Pour broth into a saucepan, bring to a simmer and keep warm. Place a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven and a large skillet on stove. Divide butter or oil, garlic and shallots between the two pans.
• Place Dutch oven over medium heat and sauté garlic and shallots until translucent. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes. Add wine and lemon zest and continue stirring until all the wine is absorbed. Begin stirring in the broth, one ladleful at a time, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. Meanwhile (after about the second ladleful of broth), place skillet over medium-high heat. Stir until garlic is light gold. Add zucchini and sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• When most of the broth is incorporated, taste rice; it should be creamy with a slightly firm center. Remove from heat and mix in cheese. Cover and allow to rest for 1 minute. Meanwhile, return zucchini mixture to medium heat. Add favas and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir just until mixture is warm, then remove from heat.
• Add half the basil to zucchini and mix gently. Stir remaining basil and lemon balm or lemon juice into risotto. Place a portion of each on plates and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Trim the zucchini lengthwise on two opposite sides to create flat edges. Discard or compost the scraps and cut the zucchini in half lengthwise into two planks that are about ½-inch thick. (If you're using larger zucchini, you may get three planks from each one). Pat them dry with a paper towel, pressing gently but firmly on both sides to absorb any moisture.
• Heat a large (12-inch) cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium high. Add the oil and heat until it's almost smoking. Add the zucchini, spacing them evenly in the pan and pressing lightly with a spatula so that the planks make contact with the pan. Sprinkle the tops with salt and pepper and cook for about 3 minutes, until the zucchini is nicely charred on the bottom. Lower the heat to medium, flip the zucchini, and season with salt and pepper again. Cook for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the bottom is charred.
• Turn the heat to low and add the butter, garlic and rosemary. Carefully tilt the pan, letting the garlic and rosemary cook in the butter for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the butter has begun to brown. Spoon the butter over the zucchini, and cook for another minute, flipping them a few times to coat both sides with the butter.
• Transfer the zucchini to a serving platter, along with the garlic and rosemary, and spoon any butter that's left in the pan on top. Top with coarse sea salt, lemon zest and red-pepper flakes, and serve hot.