Fava Beans and Asparagus with Whipped Chèvre

Entrée's & Sides
Featuring BLiS Elixer XO Sherry Vinegar
By Colby Garrelts - Saveur Magazine 
 

Enjoy the contrast of crunchy freshness of the Fava Bean and Asparagus contrasted with the Whipped Chèvre

Fava Beans and Asparagus Salad Ingredients 

• 2 cups fava beans 
• 8 stalks asparagus, trimmed, peeled, sliced into ¼-inch pieces 
• 1 teaspoon BLiS Elixer Sherry Vinegar (or reduced balsamic vinegar) 
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon champagne vinaigrette (recipe follows)  
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 
• 4 oz. chèvre  
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper for serving 

Fava Beans and Asparagus Salad  Directions

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil.  While water reaches boiling point, prepare ice bath.  
• Blanch fava beans in boiling water for 3 minutes then, using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice bath. Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 1 minute, transfer to ice bath. 
• In a small bowl, toss together fava beans and asparagus, in the vinaigrette, season with salt and pepper to taste.  
• In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and chèvre on medium speed until light and fluffy, season with salt and pepper to taste. 
• To assemble the dish, divide whipped cheese evenly by neatly spooning a mound in the center of each plate.  
• Dent each mound, forming a crater deep enough to hold ¼ teaspoon of Blis Elixir followed by 1 teaspoon of olive oil. 
• Arrange the dressed favas and asparagus onto each cheese plate and season with coarsely ground black pepper. Serve Immediately. 

Tip: Recipe can be made 1 day ahead of time and kept refrigerated until ready to assemble. Bring to room temperature before serving. 

Note: Yields: 1¾ cups

Serves 4

To make the champagne vinaigrette:

• 1 cup champagne vinegar  
• ¹/₃ cup honey 
• ¹/₃ cup olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 

Method

• Combine all of the ingredients in a nonreactive bowl, adding the honey last to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the bowl.  
• Whisk vigorously until combined.