Spring Green Vegetable Stew with Shave..

Cooking Instructions

To shell the lava beans, remove the beans as you would peas from a pod. Bring a saucepan filled with water to a boil, add the favas, and blanch for 1 minute. Drain and immerse the lavas in cold water to retain their color. Drain again and slip the skin off each lava bean. If the beans are very small and tender, you need not peel them. Set aside.

Fill a bowl with water and squeeze in the juice from the lemon, then throw in the lemon halves. Remove at least three layers of outer leaves from the artichokes to reach the light green interior leaves. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, trim off the dark spot where the artichoke was attached to the bush and the pointed top 1 inch of the leaves. Cut in half lengthwise and immediately drop the slices into the lemon water.

Bring a saucepan filled with water to a boil. Meanwhile, snap off the tough ends of the asparagus, and cut the spears on the diagonal into 3-inch lengths. Place in a colander or steamer basket that fits snugly over the pot of boiling water, cover, and steam until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and immediately rinse under running cold water to halt the cooking and preserve the bright green color. Drain well and set aside.

Bring another saucepan filled with water to a boil. Add the snap peas or English peas and cook for 1 minute. Drain and rinse immediately under running cold water to halt the cooking and preserve the bright green color. Drain well and set aside.

Trim off the feathery tops and stalks from the fennel bulb. Cut off any bruised leaves from the bulb and cut lengthwise into paper-thin slices.

To make the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Drain the artichokes and pat dry. Scatter the artichokes, asparagus, peas, and fennel on a large platter with a shallow rim. Drizzle on the dressing and toss well. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the cheese over the top and then sprinkle on the mint. Serve at room temperature.

Wine Pairing(s)

Cruz Garcia Real Sangria

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc

Vivalda Barbera d'Asti

Rojo Mojo Shiraz

Screw Kappa Napa Chardonnay

De Loach Sauvignon Blanc

Gosálbez Orti Qubel Barrica

Luis Canas Crianza

Albet I Noya 'Clàssic' Tempranillo

Corino Barolo 'Vigna Giachini'