Herbed Bean Spread With Baguette Toasts Food

MEDITERRANEAN WHITE BEAN SPREAD WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Place beans, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil in food processor or mini-chopper; process until smooth.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until well mixed and the herbs are chopped as coarsely or finely as you like (I like them almost liquified).
• Refrigerate for at least a few hours so the flavors blend (overnight is even better).

HERB TOAST

Steps:

• Cream the butter and mix in the herbs and parsley.
• Spread butter on individual slices of bread.
• Bread can also be cut into triangles, thin strips or different shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Place the bread slices on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 250° oven for 1 hour.
• The toast should be nicely browned before removing from the oven.
• Serve on a platter garnished with water cress or parsley sprigs.
• Serve with soup and/or salad.

HERB GARLIC BAGUETTES

Steps:

• Put 3 1/4 cups flour, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic and salt in bowl.
• Mix using dough hook (s) until well blended, scraping bowl if necessary.
• Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.
• Continue mixing on slow speed and slowly add yeast mixture and cold water.
• If dough is sticky you may add up to 1/4 cup extra flour, a little bit at a time.
• If dough is too dry you may add a little extra water.
• Continue mixing until dough is smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place (70° to 80°F) until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• When doubled, turn out on a lightly floured surface and punch down several times to remove air bubbles.
• Divide dough in half.
• Shape each half into a 12 inch long loaf.
• Place loaves on a greased baking sheet.
• With sharp knife make 3 or 4 shallow diagonal slices on top of loaf.
• Combine egg and 1 TSP water, whisking until well blended.
• Brush top of each baguetter with egg mixture.
• Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Remove plastic wrap and brush top of each baguette with egg mixture again.
• Bake at 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until loaves are deep golden brown.
• Remove and cool on wire racks.

HERBED BEAN SPREAD WITH BAGUETTE TOASTS

Steps:

• Make toasts:
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cut baguette crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In a saucepan melt butter with salt to taste over moderate heat and brush butter on one side of each slice. Arrange baguette slices, buttered sides up, on 2 large baking sheets and toast in upper and middle thirds of oven until golden, about 12 minutes. (Toasts may be made 2 days ahead and kept in an airtight container.)
• Make spread:
• Drain beans in a colander. Gently rinse beans and drain well. Mince parsley. In a food processor blend together all spread ingredients except oil until smooth. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream, blending until incorporated, and season spread with salt and pepper. (Spread may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring spread to room temperature before serving.)