Minted Pea Puree Crostini Recipes

SWEET PEA CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the Sweet Peas: Warm the chicken broth and red pepper flakes in a medium
• saucepan over medium-high heat until the broth boils. Add the frozen peas and cook until the peas are tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the peas in a mesh sieve.
• Place the peas in a food processor with the mint, salt, and pepper. Puree the pea mixture. Place the pea puree in a medium bowl and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the crostini: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the baguette slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the oven until toasted and golden around the edges, about 10 minutes. While the crostini are still warm, drizzle the tops with extra-virgin olive oil. Using a whole clove of garlic in your fingertips, rub the top of the crostini a few times to give a hint of garlic.
• To finish, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the pea puree. Top each of the crostini with about 1 tablespoon of pea puree. Sprinkle with a bit of the diced prosciutto. Serve immediately.

MINTED PEA AND PROSCIUTTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Cook peas in boiling salted water until tender, then drain. In a medium bowl, lightly mash peas with the back of a fork. Add olive oil, mint, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. To serve, divide prosciutto among crostini and top with pea mixture.

CROSTINI WITH SMASHED PEAS AND FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Quarter the leek lengthwise, and slice crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Place in a large bowl of cold water, and leave for 5 to 10 minutes to rid the pieces of dirt and sand. Using a slotted spoon, lift leek pieces out of water, and drain.
• In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over low heat; add garlic, shallots, leek, and salt and pepper. Cook until very soft but not browned, about 15 minutes. Add peas, raising the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until peas are heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the pea mixture to a food processor. Add chicken stock and the remaining tablespoon olive oil; pulse until mixture is a coarse puree, about 12 pulses. Transfer half the puree to a medium bowl. Process the remaining half of the peas for 15 seconds, then combine with the coarsely pureed peas. Stir in chopped mint. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary.
• Cut bread into 1/4-inch-thick slices, brush with oil, and toast under the broiler on both sides until golden brown. Spread the pea mixture on the toasted bread, and serve immediately or at room temperature.

SPRING PEA CROSTINI WITH LEMON CREME

Steps:

• Brush baguette slices with oil. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes or until toasted., Place peas in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-8 minutes or until tender. Drain, reserving 3 tablespoons cooking liquid., Transfer peas to a food processor; add the sugar, mint, vinegar, garlic, lemon peel, salt, pepper and reserved cooking liquid. Cover and process until pureed., In a small bowl, combine creme fraiche and lemon juice. Spread 2 teaspoons pea puree over each baguette slice; top with 1/4 teaspoon lemon creme.,

PEA AND MINT PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, Parmesan, garlic, and mint with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until everything is well combined and you have a smooth puree, about 1 minute. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Brush one side of the sliced bread with olive oil and toast it until golden brown and crispy. You can grill the bread if you prefer.
• Transfer the bread to a serving platter. If necessary, cut the bread slices so that you have slices about 2 inches long. Spread one heaping tablespoon of the pea pesto on each slice. Top each slice with a tomato half or a bit of diced tomato and serve.
• For maximum crispiness, use day old bread or fresh bread that's been dried out in a 300F oven for about 5 minutes.

CROSTINI WITH PEA PURéE, ROCKET & BROAD BEANS

Steps:

• Cook the broad beans in a pan of boiling water for 4 mins until just tender. Drain, cool under cold running water, then drain and set aside. In the same pan, fry the peas in half the butter until just cooked. Allow to cool, then blitz with a hand blender or in a food processor with the mint, yogurt and seasoning until smooth.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Melt the rest of the butter in a small pan, stir in the dill, then brush over the slices of bread. Bake for 10-12 mins until the bread is crisp and golden.
• Spread some pea purée onto each slice, then top with rocket, broad beans and radishes. Use a potato peeler to shave pecorino on top. Drizzle with olive oil, if you like, before serving.