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Fried Pecorino with Broad Bean Cream

17/11/2023

Fried Pecorino with broad bean cream is a delicious dish that combines the intense flavor of Pecorino cheese with the delicate taste of broad beans. It can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a light second course. Here’s the recipe for you.

Ingredients

  • 200 g of fresh or frozen broad beans
  • 100 g of fresh Pecorino cheese with semi-hard paste
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Salt as needed
  • Black pepper as needed
  • Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
  • Flour as needed (for breading the Pecorino)
  • 2 eggs (for breading the Pecorino)
  • Breadcrumbs as needed (for breading the Pecorino)
  • Oil for frying

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the broad bean cream. If using fresh broad beans, peel them to remove the outer skin. If using frozen broad beans, you can skip this step. Cook the broad beans in slightly salted water until they become tender, about 10-15 minutes.
  2. Once cooked, drain the broad beans and puree them in a blender or with a hand blender, adding a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. If necessary, you can add a little cooking water to achieve the desired consistency.
  3. Cut the Pecorino into slices about 1.5 cm thick. Dredge each slice first in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs, making sure it is well coated.
  4. Heat plenty of oil in a frying pan and when it has reached the right temperature (about 180°C), fry the breaded Pecorino until it becomes golden and crispy on both sides. Be careful not to overlap the pieces to avoid them sticking together.
  5. Drain the fried Pecorino on kitchen paper to remove the excess oil.
  6. Plate the broad bean cream by pouring a little on the bottom of the plate and lay the fried Pecorino slices on top.
  7. Garnish with fresh mint leaves to add a touch of color and freshness to the dish, if you wish.

Serve the fried Pecorino with the broad bean cream hot, to best enjoy the crispness of the cheese and the contrast with the warm cream.

Curiosity

Broad beans are legumes that are highly appreciated in Mediterranean cooking, especially in spring, and are rich in nutritional properties, including fiber and plant protein. Combining them with Pecorino, a typical Italian cheese, exemplifies how Italian cuisine loves to play with contrasts of flavors and textures.

Fried Pecorino with Broad Bean Cream