Broad beans help

(cross-posted)
What do i do with broad beans? Do I shell them or cook them whole? How long do they take?

Many thanks for any suggestions.

ETA: Thanks for your help! I just steamed them for three minutes in the microwave and then added them to the pan with the rest of the stuff (see next post).

The naked chef strikes again

Ingredients:
Chard leaves, cut into chunks
a good handful of podded broad beans
potatoes, cut into chunks and parboiled to not quite tender
streaky bacon, cut into bits
onions, sliced finely
garlic, finely chopped
a good olive oil, balsamic vinegar, coarse sea salt, freshly ground white pepper

Method:
Put a large, heavy nonstick frying pan on medium heat and cook out the streaky bacon, add the onions and garlic and fry those for a while. Add the potatoes and fry the lot for about five minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, steam/microwave the broad beans for about three minutes and then add them and any liquor to the pan. Mix thoroughly. Put the chard on top, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with sea salt and white pepper. Put a lid on and let the chard wilt, about three minutes. Mix again and turn out on a plate. Yum.
( Bigger photo )

Many thanks for your answers to my earlier question!
(cross-posted)

GNIP

One of the very few casual/candid photos of me I actually like. Shame it's a bit blurry...