Spring Pea And Ricotta Crostini With Fava Beans Recipes

FAVA BEANS AND PEAS WITH MINT, BASIL, LEMON RICOTTA ON CROSTINI FOR ST. JOSEPH'S DAY

Steps:

• Shell the fresh fava beans. Boil them in a pot for 2 minutes on the stove, and then dunk in an ice bath to stop the cooking. You don't want them mushy. Once cooled it is easy to pull off the outer skin to reveal the delicious bright green fava bean inside.
• In a small bowl, grate lemon zest to the Ricotta cheese. Add juice of half lemon, olive oil, salt and black pepper. Mix and refrigerate to chill.
• Saute the garlic, fava beans and peas in a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan on the stove for 2-3 minutes. Add salt, red & black peppers, mint, and basil. Turn off the heat.
• Brush olive oil on both sides of the sliced bread and toast in a grill pan.
• To assemble, place a dollop of the lemon ricotta on a toasted bread slice, top with a tablespoon of fava beans. Garnish with fresh basil/mint.

PEA AND RICOTTA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill over medium-low. Add the baguette slices and grill on both sides until toasted. Remove from the grill and rub the toasts with the garlic clove (discard clove). Drizzle lightly with the chili oil. Set the toasts aside.
• If using fresh peas, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the peas and blanch, about 1 minute. Then pour onto a sheet tray lined with a clean kitchen towel and allow to cool. If using frozen peas, add to a strainer and rinse under warm water to thaw, then set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, coarsely grated Parmesan, minced garlic, lemon zest and a pinch sea salt. Stir to combine. Add the peas and stir with a wooden spoon, lightly mashing the peas with the back of the spoon.
• To assemble, spoon the cheese and pea mixture onto the toasts, top with extra Parmesan to garnish, and serve.

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.,

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.

CROSTINI WITH FAVA BEANS AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Shell the fava beans and drop them in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain, then pop the inner bean out of its skin.
• Gently mix the fava beans, cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, thyme and lemon zest in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Brush both sides of the bread slices with oil and broil, turning once, until they are golden.
• To serve, top bread slices with fava bean mixture.