White Bean Crostini With Frizzled Sage Food

WHITE BEAN AND PROSCIUTTO CROSTINI WITH SAGE

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor combine the 3 smashed garlic cloves, prosciutto, crushed red pepper, and 3 cans of beans. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. If the mixture seems too thick add more olive oil; the mixture should be fairly loose. Taste to see if the mixture needs salt (it probably will). Add the remaining can of beans and pulse to combine (the mixture should be a little bit coarse). Taste again to see if it needs salt. It should be creamy and a little chunky and really well flavored. Remove from the food processor to a large bowl and reserve at room temperature.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat.
• Grill the baguette slices on both sides on the preheated grill pan. When the bread looks slightly charred and is crispy remove them and rub each crostini with the raw garlic cloves.
• Top each toast with a big schmear of the bean puree and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with sage and arrange on serving platters to serve. Bravissimo!

WHITE BEANS AND ROSEMARY CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat a fireplace to medium heat. Adjust the grill racks over the flame and heat a heavy Dutch oven over the rack. Alternatively, heat a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Once hot, add the oil to the saucepan. Add the pancetta and render some of its fat. Add the rosemary and garlic, and saute until fragrant. Stir in the beans, lemon juice and some salt and pepper. Mash the beans with the back of a wooden spoon. Don't mash them all smooth, you want some texture.
• Toast the baguette slices. Serve the beans on top of the toasted baguette. Drizzle with olive oil if desired.

WHITE BEAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the beans, 1/4 cup oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and process until smooth. Add olives and thyme; process until blended. , Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with remaining oil. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly. Spread each slice with 1 tablespoon bean mixture. Garnish with olives and thyme if desired.

TUSCAN WHITE BEANS WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Saute the onion, garlic, and carrots in the olive oil until the onions are translucent. Add in the sage, cook until aromatic.
• Add the can of tomatoes, heat through.
• Add the white beans, return to a simmer, and simmer as long as you like (the longer, the yummier, honestly!).
• Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice.
• This dish holds up well to slight modifications. I have put in a stalk of celery, diced, with the onions and carrots. I have added a little dried rosemary with the white beans. All quite tasty. For omnivores, this dish is delicious with a few shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic served on top.

WHITE BEANS WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Let the oil get heated in a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat; add in onion, fennel, and garlic; stir/saute 3-5 minutes or until softened.
• Add in the cannellini beans and sage; cook 1 minute.
• Add in the lemon juice; cook 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest, salt, and pepper.