Herbed Bean Spread With Baguette Toasts Food

WHITE BEAN DIP WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic, thyme and rosemary and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and begins to soften.
• Add beans, olive oil and herbs, red wine vinegar and salt & pepper to a food processor. Blend on high until dip is smooth and creamy. Taste to adjust salt and pepper if needed.
• IF SERVING WARM: Pour dip into a bowl and top with a drizzle of olive oil and any additional optional toppings. Serve with toasted baguette slices.
• IF SERVING COLD: Pour dip into a bowl, cover and place in the fridge for at least an hour. Remove from the fridge when ready to use and top with a drizzle of olive oil and any additional optional toppings. Serve with fresh veggies and pita bread.

HERB TOASTS

Steps:

• Slice a baguette in half crosswise, then cut each half lengthwise into 4 sticks. Cook 3 tablespoons minced red onion in 4 tablespoons butter until soft. Season with salt and pepper and add 1/4 cup minced mixed herbs. Brush onto the bread and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Photograph By Antonis Achilleos

TOASTED BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Slice the baguette diagonally into 1/4-inch slices. You should have 20 to 25 slices. Place the slices in 1 layer on a baking sheet. Brush each slice with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bake the toasts for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are crisp and browned. Serve at room temperature.

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.)

HERBED BROAD BEAN & FETA CROSTINI WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the broad beans for 5-6 mins until tender. Immediately plunge into a bowl of ice-cold water. Squeeze the broad beans from their pods and transfer to the bowl of a food processor with the olive oil, feta, honey, lemon juice and dill fronds. Season with black pepper and blitz to a smooth purée.
• Meanwhile, brush the baguette slices with some olive oil and toast or griddle until golden. Rub with the cut side of a halved garlic clove. Finely chop the blanched asparagus spears and toss in a little olive oil with a squeeze of lemon juice. Spread the purée over the crostini and top with the sliced asparagus and some extra dill. Leftover purée will keep in the fridge for up to two days.

BUTTER BEAN PâTé WITH MELBA TOAST

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan, then gently cook the shallot and garlic for 5 mins until softened. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the butter beans, then mash together until roughly puréed. Stir in the soured cream, parsley and seasoning. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, place the slices of bread under a medium grill and gently toast on both sides until light golden. Cut off the crusts and, using a long, sharp knife, split the bread in half, through the centre. Place the bread, untoasted-side up, under a low grill until it curls into a crisp, golden shell. Serve with the butter bean pâté and a sprig of parsley.

WHITE BEAN SPREAD WITH GARLIC & ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Place olive oil, garlic and rosemary in a 10-inch skillet. Heat pan until ingredients start to sizzle. Add beans and their liquid to the pan. As beans cook, mash them with a wooden spoon or potato masher. Cook until mixture is a loose spread consistency (it will thicken as it cools). Transfer to a serving bowl or storage container.

HERBED BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Soak onion in cold water, 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk Dijon and vinegar in a bowl. Slowly whisk in oil until combined. Drain onion and dry well. Stir into dressing along with beans and herbs; season with salt and pepper. Let sit 15 to 20 minutes or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days. Serve as a side, over meat and fish, on toasted rustic bread, or mixed into greens.