Pureed Fava Bean Soup

Fava beans are surprisingly flavorful and easy to work with. They blend well with other ingredients and carry enough flavor to leave their own mark. The do require shelling if you buy them fresh, but it's really no trouble at all. Thanks to the adundance of fresh and unfamiliar (to me) produce here in Guatemala, I've had to learn to be a more inventive cook, and this has opened me to the wonderful world of favas. All props for this recipe to go Lindsey of El Cuartito cafe, who shared with me the secret to the new weekly special.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb  fresh fava beans (i'm sure you could use frozen, too)
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  small onion, sliced
• 3  cloves garlic, sliced
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  carrot, sliced
• 4  cups water
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Boil the fava beans for about 5 minutes. Then put in cold water to cool.
2. Once cool, peel the fava beans, starting with the dark spot of a hinge at the end (or the butt, as Lindsey would have it -- ).
3. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and let the oil warm for about a minute.
4. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
5. Add the onion, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes transparent,.
6. Add the bay leaf, water, and carrot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Add the fava beans and cook another 5 minutes.
8. Remove the bay leaf & transfer all ingredients to a food processor, add salt & pepper to taste, and puree until soup is smooth and thick. (you may have to do it in batches if you've got a small one like me).
9. Enjoy with some nice whole grain toast, or whatever suits you!