Smashed Cannellini Bean Crostini Recipes

CROSTINI THREE WAYS

Steps:

• Put a griddle pan on a high heat. Cut the ciabatta into 18 slices and drizzle each side of bread with the 1 tbsp of olive oil. Place on the griddle pan until toasted and slightly charred on each side ( do this in batcheset aside on a chopping board or large plate.
• To make the stracchino and spinach crostini put a medium sized pan on a medium heat with 1 tbsp of oil. Finely chop the garlic clove and add to the pan, fry for 30 seconds. Roughly chop the spinach and add to the pan, add 1tbsp of water if it sticks this will help it wilt. Once the spinach is wilted sprinkle with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice and set aside to cool.
• Spread 6 slices of toasted bread generously with stracchino cheese then top with spinach.
• For the cannellini bean Crostini add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a pan under a low heat. Finely chop the garlic and add to the pan, fry for 1 minute. Add the cannellini beans and start to roughly mash them with a fork. Add the lemon zest, salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Add another tbsp of oil and mash everything together, spread on 6 slices of toasted bread topped with a little basil.
• For the last Crostini simply top 6 slices of toasted bread with Prosciutto, cheese and drizzle over some honey, sprinkle with pepper.

CANNELLINI CROSTINI

Steps:

• *NOTE: A word of advice: Using roasted garlic mellowed the flavor. Using unroasted garlic will in my opinion overpower the flavor however. DO NOT use jarred roasted garlic.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the white beans, garlic, sherry vinegar, lemon juice and olive oil. Add a little bit of the cooking bean liquid if necessary to help in blending. Be careful not to add too much liquid though!
• Mash the bean mixture with a fork until very smooth. If you think it is necessary to add again a very small amount of the bean cooking liquid to help in mashing, then do so.
• Cover the bean mixture and allow to sit at least 1 hour. I recommend tasting and adjusting seasonings after standing time.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brush each slice of bread with olive oil on both sides, and toast in the skillet until it is lightly browned on both sides; approximately 2 minutes per side. (Alternatively, you can broil the baguette slices, but you need to be [[really]] careful not to burn the bread!).
• Top each slice with some of the bean mixture.
• Arrange the crostini slices on a pretty platter. Add a sprinkle of paprika over the slices, very lightly drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top of the toasted slices, garnish artfully with the fresh parsley and a smattering of red onion rings.
• Serve immediately.
• Prep and cooking times are estimated.