Mushroom Stroganoff with Fava Beans

Spring time is the best time, or the only time, to find fresh fava beans. I admit they are not the easiest to prepare. OK, they're a royal pain to prepare. But, they are sooooo worth it! Their presence on top of this dish calls your attention to them, and do they ever explode in your mouth with little pops of taste excitement. I like the juxtaposition between the light, freshness of the fava beans with a stroganoff that's slightly reminiscent of heavier winter meals. Welcome, spring!

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil
3 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
1 spring onion, sliced thinly crosswise
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tsp. dried
8 oz. thinly sliced pork tenderloin
1/2 cup wine, either red or white
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 pound fava beans, shelled, blanched and peeled to make about 1/2 cup fava beans
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
6 oz. whole wheat pasta

Directions: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain. Prepare the sauce while the water comes to a boil and the pasta cooks.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the sliced mushrooms, onions, garlic and thyme. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion begins to turn translucent. Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet. Add the pork tenderloin and cook until the pork turns from red to pink, about 3 or 4 more minutes. Add the wine and chicken broth, stirring to combine and cook until slightly reduced, another few minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the yogurt to combine.

To serve, place several ounces of pasta on the plate. Top with some of the sauce, then a sprinkling of fava beans and fresh Italian parsley.

Serves 4

Stealthy Cooking Tip: To prepare fava beans, remove the beans from the pod. Heat a small pan of water to boiling and blanch the beans for 1 minute. Drain the beans in a colander under cold running water. To peel, simply squeeze the beans and they'll easily pop out of their second shell.  Fava beans have a bright, green color and a very fresh taste. They're as dense in nutrients, proteins, and fiber as other beans, and like other beans have the added benefits of no cholesterol or saturated fats.