Crostini Of Fava Bean Puree Fresh Ricotta And Morel Mushrooms Recipes

SPRING PEA AND RICOTTA CROSTINI WITH FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of well-salted water to a boil and set up a bowl of well-salted ice water. Drop the peas in the boiling water, let the water return to a boil and cook the peas for 2 minutes. Scoop the peas out of the water and plunge them immediately into the ice water. When the peas are cool, remove them from the ice water and reserve. Repeat this process with the fava beans. When the favas are cool, peel off the tough outer layer and reserve the beans.
• In a food processor, pulse the peas to make a coarse paste. In a large bowl, combine the pea paste, ricotta and parmigiano; mix well, season with kosher salt (about 1/2 teaspoon) and taste to make sure it's delicious. In a separate bowl, toss the favas with the olive oil, mint, lemon zest and a pinch of kosher salt. Set aside.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and grill, flipping, until lightly charred, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of the pea-ricotta mixture onto each crostini. Top with the favas, a final shaving of parmigiano, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.

MINTED PEA PUREE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the peas and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, put them into a food processor and pulse until chunky. Add the ricotta and pulse to combine. While the processor is running, pour in the oil in a slow steady stream. Transfer the puree to a serving bowl, then stir in the mint and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Arrange the bread on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with some garlic infused olive oil. Toast in the oven until light golden, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Spread the pea puree over the toasts and serve.

FRESH FAVA BEANS WITH PECORINO CHEESE

Steps:

• Shell the favas and discard pods. Drop beans into boiling salted water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain again and remove tough outer skin from each bean. Place beans in a bowl.
• Serve with slices of good fresh cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, 1 to 2 drops of lemon juice, freshly ground pepper and a few grains of salt along with a slice of good crusty peasant bread.

MOREL MUSHROOMS WITH BUTTER AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Add the butter, olive oil, thyme, shallot and garlic to a large high-sided skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted and shallots are softened, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until they release moisture and are golden brown on edges of stems, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

SPRINGTIME MOREL AND FAVA BEAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush both sides of baguette slices with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake, turning once, until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Melt butter in a medium skillet over high heat; cook until butter is lightly browned. Add morels and shallot and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add sherry to deglaze and cook until almost evaporated. Add cream and let cook until reduced and thickened slightly. Stir in fava beans and ramp leaves or chives.
• Divide morel mixture evenly among toasted baguette slices; top with crumbled bacon and garnish with cheese. Serve.

WHITE BEAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the beans, 1/4 cup oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and process until smooth. Add olives and thyme; process until blended. , Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with remaining oil. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly. Spread each slice with 1 tablespoon bean mixture. Garnish with olives and thyme if desired.

FAVA BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop the shelled fava beans in the water, and boil five minutes (if the beans are small or medium-size) to eight minutes (if the beans are large). Transfer the beans immediately to the cold water. Do not drain the water in the pot. Allow the beans to cool for several minutes, then drain and slip off their skins.
• Place the skinned fava beans, salt and mashed garlic in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Turn on the machine, and with the machine running, add the olive oil in a slow stream. Process until you achieve a smooth purée. If necessary, add enough of the cooking water to give the purée a soft, hummuslike consistency. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, taste and adjust seasoning.
• Mound the purée onto an earthenware platter or in a wide bowl. Garnish with olives, and serve with crostini or warm triangles of pita bread.

ARUGULA AND FAVA-BEAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Cook fava beans in boiling water, uncovered, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Gently peel off skins (if using edamame, don't peel).
• Pulse fava beans in a food processor until very coarsely chopped, then transfer half of mixture to a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup arugula, cheese, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper to favas in processor and purée until smooth. Add to bowl. Coarsely chop remaining cup arugula and gently fold into fava-bean mixture.
• Cut 16 diagonal slices (1/3 inch thick) from baguette and put in a 4-sided sheet pan. Drizzle with remaining tablespoon oil. Bake until pale golden and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Rub with cut side of garlic.
• Spoon fava-bean mixture onto baguette toasts, then drizzle with oil and top with mint.
• What to drink:
• Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano '07

ARUGULA AND FAVA BEAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 with rack in middle.
• Cook fava beans in boiling water, uncovered, until tender, 3-4 minutes.
• Drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Gentle peel off skins (Note: if using edamame, don't peel).
• Pulse fava beans in a food processor until very coarsely chopped, then transfer 1/2 of the mixture to a large bowl.
• Add 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup arugula, grated cheese, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoons pepper to favas in processor.
• Puree till smooth.then add to the bowl.
• Coarsely chop remaining cup arugula and gently fold into fava-bean mixture.
• Cut 16 diagonal slices (1/3" thick) from baguette and put in a 4-sided sheet pan.
• Drizzle with remaining tablespoons oil.
• Bake until pale golden and crisp, 8-10 minute Rub with cut side of garlic.
• Spoon fava bean mixture onto baguette toasts, then drizzle with oil and top with mint.
• Chef Notes: Topping can be made 8 hours ahead and chilled, but eliminate the arugula and fold in before using. Toasts can be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

FRESH RICOTTA AND FAVA BEAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cook fava beans or lima beans in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 1 1/2 minutes for fava beans or about 4 minutes for lima beans. Drain. Rinse under cold water; drain well. Peel fava beans if using; set aside. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange bread pieces on baking sheet; toast in oven until light golden, about 12 minutes. Rub 1 side of each bread piece with cut side of 1 garlic half, pressing firmly to release juices into bread. Top each bread piece with 1 heaping tablespoon ricotta cheese, then fava beans, dividing equally. Place 2 bread pieces on each of 8 plates. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with sliced basil and serve.