Summer Greens Bruschetta Recipes

BEANS AND GREENS BRUSCHETTA WITH BROILED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Transfer to the oven and toast until just crisp, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat the broiler; position a rack in top third of the oven.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and cook until al dente, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.
• Transfer the broccoli rabe to a food processor and add cannellini beans, garlic, shallot, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse to roughly chop. Transfer to a bowl, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of the goat cheese, and bind together with hands.
• Top each piece of toast with a heaping tablespoon of the beans-and-greens mixture and then with about 2 tablespoons of the remaining goat cheese. Broil until the cheese is golden, about 2 minutes. Serve warm.

BRUSCHETTA WITH GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or stove-top grill pan.
• Place Italian country loaf on a work surface and slice 8 thick slices. Place bread on a grill pan and grill until the slices are well browned on both sides.
• In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the greens and then drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• Remove the bread slices from the grill. Cut 1 garlic bulb in half and rub 1/2 over both sides of each bread slice.
• Once the blanched greens are dry, place on top of the bread slices. Generously drizzle each slice with olive oil and a dash of gray salt.

SUMMER GREENS BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cook almonds in a large skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally until fragrant and crisp, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Once almonds have cooled, place in a food processor and process until finely ground; set aside.
• In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring constantly until tender, about 4 minutes. Working in batches, add greens, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cover for 1 minute to steam, then add remaining greens. (Depending on the size of your pan, you might need to do this in a few batches, steaming one until wilted and then adding another.) Uncover and cook 1 to 2 minutes until greens are tender and water has evaporated. If water remains in pan, drain, and cool greens to room temperature.
• In a small bowl, combine ground almonds, garlic, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Spread a teaspoon or so of almond mixture on each slice of bread. Top with a slice of cheese. Toss greens with vinegar and place on top of the cheese.

MOZZARELLA, GREENS, AND GARLIC BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Discard coarse stems from greens and wash leaves thoroughly, Chop greens coarse (there should be about 6 cups).
• In a large heavy skillet cook garlic paste in oil over moderately low heat stirring, 1 minute. Add greens and salt and pepper to taste and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until wilted and tender, about 3 minutes. Pour off any excess liquid. Transfer greens mixture to a bowl and cool to warm. Stir in mozzarella and mound about 1 tablespoon on oiled side of each toast.
• To make toasts:
• Prepare grill or preheat broiler.
• With a serrated knife cut bread crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Grill slices on a rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp outside but still soft inside. Alternatively, slices may be broiled in batches under a broiler about 4 inches from heat 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until golden. Rub toasts with garlic on one side and lightly brush same side with oil. Toasts may be made 1 week ahead and kept in an airtight container. Makes about 45 toasts.