Despite their mentions in various media and cookbooks, it is unfortunate that broad beans, also known as fava beans, tic beans and field beans are not nearly as well known in the United States as they should be. They are widely eaten in North African cuisine and they are found in many different types of dishes in southeast Asia, and as might be expected from such an impressively well-traveled plant, can be quite versatile when it comes to what dishes you can use them in and how you can eat them.

Broad bean is a main ingredient is a very tasty Greek dish. Broad beans, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and spring onions, as well as sugar, salt, pepper and dill to taste, are the ingredient for cooking Koukia. While the broad bean are being washed and cleaned in water, onions are roasted in heated oil.

The beans and all of the other ingredients are added, along with a little water, and they are all cooked until the entire dish is soft. This is a great dish to serve either on its own or with a side order of pita bread, which can bring out the complexity of the tastes that are involved.

Typically, broad beans, no matter what the variety are eaten while they are young and tender, and though they can certainly be eaten while lightly steamed and soft, they can also be fried. When fried, the beans will split open, making the Thai name for this bean, the "open-mouth nut" make a great deal of sense. After you have fried them, they can be salted or spiced and they'll provide an excellent snack when you are in a hurry. You can also serve them a s a complement to a special event or as a side dish to bring out the flavor of a more bland offering.

Broad beans can be an excellent way to complete a dish and you will discover that the beans are also best eaten fresh. Eating them with a salty cheese or a hard one like parmesan, gives it a continental flair. Another tasty method is to sprinkle some salt and pepper lightly over the beans.

After removing their skin by cooking them in water, you can also stew the beans in a pot with some oil or butter. To avoid the beans from having that overwhelming taste, adding herbs like parsley, mint, basil and thyme as a mix, will help.

If you want to add a little bit of protein in your diet, broad beans are a great way to do that, and finding a way to integrate these delicious indulgence will be a tasty accompaniment to your dishes!