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My Favourite Greek Fava Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 64 reviews

My favourite Greek Fava is a velvety smooth dip made from yellow split peas, simmered with aromatic vegetables and enhanced with olive oil and lemon juice. This traditional Greek dish is perfect as a healthy appetizer or side, topped with sweet caramelized onions for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 litre Water (33.8 fl.oz) (boiling, to soak the yellow split peas)
  • 250 g Yellow split peas/Greek Fava (8.8 oz)
  • 1 Carrot, chopped
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 1 Leek, chopped
  • 6 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp Granulated sugar
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 litre Water (boiling, for cooking)
  • 2 Vegetable or chicken stock cubes
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 Lemon, juiced

For Caramelized Onion Topping

  • 1 Red onion, sliced
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 tsp Honey

Instructions

  1. Soak the Yellow Split Peas: Place the yellow split peas in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Stir with a wooden spoon until the water turns dark. Let the peas soak in this water for 5 minutes. This helps to soften the peas and remove some impurities.
  2. Drain and Set Aside: Pour off the soaking water and transfer the peas to a separate bowl. Set aside until needed.
  3. Prepare Vegetables: Chop the onion, carrot, and leek into small pieces to prepare for sautéing.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: In a pan, heat 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the chopped onion, carrot, and leek over medium heat until they become soft and translucent, releasing their flavors.
  5. Simmer the Fava: Add 1 litre of boiling water, the soaked yellow split peas, bay leaves, stock cubes, sugar, and pepper to the sautéed vegetables. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the split peas are completely soft and tender.
  6. Strain the Mixture: Use a strainer to separate the softened peas and vegetables from the cooking liquid. Save the liquid in a bowl for adjusting consistency later, and discard the bay leaves.
  7. Puree First Batch: Add half of the cooked peas and vegetables along with some cooking liquid to a blender. Puree the mixture until smooth, gradually adding extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice to create a soft, creamy texture.
  8. Puree Second Batch: If the dip seems too watery, puree the remaining peas and vegetables with little to no liquid, then mix this with the first batch. If the texture is already satisfactory, blend and combine the second batch the same way as the first.
  9. Season the Dip: Taste the fava dip, adjusting with extra salt and/or lemon juice as needed. Keep in mind the dip will thicken as it cools, so aim for a slightly looser consistency.
  10. Prepare Caramelized Onion: Slice the red onion and heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they begin to caramelize. Once they start to brown, add 1 teaspoon of honey and stir well to coat the onions evenly and enhance their sweetness.
  11. Serve: Spoon the Greek Fava dip into a serving dish, top with the caramelized onions, and drizzle additional extra virgin olive oil over the surface for a rich finish.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, use vegetable stock cubes instead of chicken stock.
  • The dip thickens as it cools, so adjust the final texture with reserved cooking liquid according to your preference.
  • Extra virgin olive oil is essential for authentic flavor and richness in this recipe.
  • Caramelized onions add a lovely sweetness that balances the tangy and earthy flavors of the fava dip.
  • You can serve this dip chilled or at room temperature as part of a mezze platter or with warm pita bread.

Keywords: Greek fava recipe, yellow split pea dip, Greek appetizer, vegetarian dip, caramelized onion topping

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/my-favourite-greek-fava-recipe/