Risotto with Fava (Broad) Beans 

Total time: 25 minutes
    Another classic Italian dish for spring.  It would normally be served as a first course (as are all pasta and rice dishes in Italy) but I like it as creamy side dish.  Fava beans are only with us a short time in the spring.  

 Ingredients:

• 1/2  - 3/4 cup fava (broad) beans  you'll need about 1lb (500gr) of pods to start with       substitute edamame (soy beans)
• 1/3 cup (2.1oz, 60gr) Arborio rice (or other rice specifically for risotto - Carnaroli or Vialone Nano)
• 1/3 cup (3oz, 90ml) dry, white wine
• 1 1/4 cups (10oz, 300ml) chicken stock
• 2 green garlic   substitute green onion and 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/3 cup (1.5oz, 45gr) Parmesan cheese - freshly grated

 Instructions:

• Heat chicken stock and keep hot over low heat. 
• Trim and thickly slice green garlic, using as much green as possible.
• Peel fava beans.  Can be done earlier
• In medium sauce pan heat butter; add green garlic, rice and sauté, stirring, for 2 - 3 minutes until rice has white center. 
• Add white wine and stir. 
• When wine is almost absorbed add a 1/4 cup of stock and stir.  
• When the rice has almost absorbed the stock add another 1/4 cup and stir.  Add the fava beans or edamame with the next 1/4 cup of stock.  Continue adding stock, 1/4 cup at a time, and stirring. 
• Before the last 1/4 cup is added taste a few kernels of rice.  They should be just 'al dente' - slightly resistant to the tooth but fully cooked.  You may not need the last 1/4 cup.  If more stock is needed add it 1/8 cup at a time and waiting until almost completely absorbed.  At this point risotto will be thick but not stiff - it will not hold it's shape on a plate. 
• Stir in the Parmesan.  
• Spoon into a bowl and serve immediately. 

Peel fava beans: It's a bit like peas.  Break open the pod and take the beans out.  Don't bother with any really tiny ones.  Blanch in rapidly boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and put into cold water.  After blanching they will have a whitish outer shell.  Just squeeze lightly and the inner, bright green bean will pop out.  It may split in half... that's okay.