Fava Bean Purée

This purée is terrific on crostini, but you can also use it as a dip for vegetables, pita chips, or bread. Like other starchy purées, this will stiffen a bit after it sits, so if using as a dip, you may want to add a little extra olive oil or lemon juice, or just a spoonful of water to loosen it. The purée will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; more for drizzling
• 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 lb. fava beans, shelled and peeled (see directions in the article "Fresh Favas") to yield 2 cups
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice; more to taste

Put a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup of the oil, the garlic, rosemary or thyme, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper and cook until you begin to hear a sizzling sound and the aromatics are fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the fava beans. Stir until the beans are well coated with the oil and aromatics and then add 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the water has nearly evaporated and the fava beans are tender, about 12 minutes. Add more water if the pan looks dry before the favas are done. Remove from the heat.

Transfer the fava mixture to a food processor. Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and the lemon juice and purée until smooth, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed. Season to taste with more salt and lemon juice. Drizzle with a little olive oil before serving.