Spring Pea Crostini Recipes

SPRING PEA CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a large food processor, combine the peas, basil or mint, garlic, California Dry Jack cheese, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Pulse for 30 seconds. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Slather a few tablespoons of the pea pesto on top of the crostini. Add a tablespoon or two of California Burrata cheese and then garnish with a piece of prosciutto.
• Serve immediately

PEA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then arrange baguette slices on top in a single layer. Bake until the slices are toasted and golden around the edges, about 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peas and quickly blanch, 1 minute for fresh peas or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain peas and transfer to a bowl.
• Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes, then mash with the back of a fork. Stir in the dill, then the feta.
• Top each crostini with a few tablespoons of the pea mixture 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.,

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.

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and grill until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice.
• Top with tomato halves and serve.
• *Cook's note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a preheated 300 degree F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

SWEET PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place peas, garlic, vinegar, salt and lemon pepper in a blender or food processor; pulse until well blended. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended. Add broth; pulse until mixture reaches desired consistency., Cut baguette into 20 slices, each 1/2 in. thick. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until golden brown, 45-60 seconds per side. Remove to wire rack to cool., To assemble crostini, spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon pesto mixture; top with tomato pieces.