Spring Forward Fava Bean Crostini

March 11, 2012

Quick and easy fava bean crosini are the perfect dish to celebrate the coming of spring. The most time consuming part of this recipe is shelling the beans but once that has been accomplished, the dish takes only minutes to make. Fava beans are cooked in boiling salted water before being sauteed with garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can smash the beans in the pan or for a smoother consistency, place them in a food processor. Spread the fava bean paste on slices of toasted bread and top with parmesan cheese- it's really that simple. Fava bean crostini makes for great party food, a delicious snack, or a simple lunch.

Fava Bean Crostini

Ingredients:

1 cup of double shelled (outer pod & inner shell removed) fresh fava or broad bean

couple glugs of olive oil

garlic clove, skinned, whole

squeeze of lemon

water

shaved parmesan

salt & pepper

baguette or crusty bread, sliced & toasted

Directions:

Throw the fava in a pan & cover with water & a little salt. Bring to a boil & lower to a simmer. Cook a couple of minutes until the fava are tender. Drain.

Return the pan to the heat. Pour in a couple glugs of olive oil and the garlic clove. Fry the garlic until browned. Then discard garlic.

Toss the fava into the pan & saute for a minute or two. Then begin mashing with the back of a wooden spoon until you form a paste. If you need to add a bit of water, do so.

Remove fava paste from heat & season with salt & pepper add a squeeze of lemon.

Toast slices of good bread & rub warm fava mixture & top with shaved parmesan. You can drizzle a little really good quality extra virgin olive oil as well if you like.