Greek Fava Yellow Split Peas Puree Recipes

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy saucepan, and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, five to six minutes. Add the split peas and enough water to cover by an inch, and bring to a boil. Skim foam off the top, reduce the heat, cover and simmer one hour. Add salt to taste, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour until the beans fall apart and sink to the bottom of the pot. Stir often to prevent them from sticking. The water should cloud, and some of the split peas will be intact while others will disintegrate. Continue to simmer until they have mostly disintegrated.
• When the beans have fallen apart and are soft and fragrant, remove the pot from the heat and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Replace the lid and let sit for 20 minutes. If the mixture looks more like a soup than a purée, with most of the liquid on the top, place a strainer over a bowl and pour the mixture into the strainer. Let sit for 10 minutes while the liquid runs through the strainer, then return the split peas to the pot. Taste and adjust salt. Moisten as desired with the broth. Add a generous amount of pepper, and whisk in the remaining olive oil and the lemon juice. Whisking helps break down the split peas and contributes to a smooth texture. Transfer to a bowl or plate, top with a drizzle of olive oil and serve.

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the split peas in plenty of water.
• 2. Heat a tall pot over medium-high heat, add 3 Tbps olive oil, the chopped onions & saute.
• 3. When the onion starts to caramelize add the split peas and blend. Carefully pour in the warm water and the olive oil. The mixture will spatter. Turn down the heat to medium and season with salt & pepper..Stirring frquently.
• 4. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the split peas are thick. The split peas tend to stick to the bottom of the pot when cooking, so it will require close attention, especially during the latter part of the cooking process. Some white foam might surface on the water, as the split peas are boiling. With a slotted spoon remove the foam.
• 5. When done, pour in the lemon juice, adjust the seasoning as necessary & mix. With a hand immersion blender mash the fava to become smooth & creamy. If too thick you can add a little vinegar or white wine or just water.
• 6. Spread on a large plate, garnish with topping of your choice & drizzle with olive oil. ENJOY!
• 7. Tip:: Leeks can be used instead of the chopped onions. Garnish: Caramelized onions, or freshly chopped green onion, capers or & chopped parsley..

Steps:

• Place the split peas in a large pot, add water to cover by 4 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, skimming often, for 5 minutes. Add the bay leaves and simmer for 40 minutes more, stirring occasionally and adding a little warm water as needed to keep the peas covered as they cook. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until the peas are soft and almost dry.
• Puree the peas with a stick (immersion) blender, or transfer to a food processor and puree. Let the puree cool completely; it will thicken considerably.
• In a large mortar, grind the garlic with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt into a smooth paste. Add 2 cups or so of the puree and continue grinding to incorporate the garlic. Or use a blender or a small food processor.
• In a large bowl, combine the garlic mixture, the remaining pea puree, the oil, 3 tablespoons each vinegar and wine, the oregano and pepper to taste, stirring vigorously to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
• If the skordalia seems too thick, add a little vinegar, wine or water to thin. Spread on a large plate, sprinkle with oregano, garnish with toppings of your choice and serve.
• Note: Instead of yellow split peas, you can also make this with dried peeled fava beans or with the same amount of cooked mashed chickpeas or white beans, such as cannellini.