Bruschetta With Ricotta, Baby Peas And Fava Bean Puree


I am continuing on my quest to create new recipes for the amazing spring vegetables I am finding at the local street markets here in Italy. I already had prepared fava bean purée in my refrigerator and although I used most of my baby peas in a risotto, I still had some leftover I wanted to find a good use for.

I love really good ricotta cheese, one that is rich and creamy and preferably made by hand. Here in Italy I can find ricotta di pecora, or sheep’s milk ricotta that is different from the usual cow’s milk version, still light and creamy, but with just a little more flavor for my taste.

I decided to mix some ricotta di percora with some peas that had been blanched tender crisp to slather onto crisp, grilled bruschetta. To enhance the fresh flavor I added a little dollop of my delicious fava bean purée on top. Add to that a drizzle of really young extra virgin olive oil and some cracked black pepper and you have a delicious, light appetizer that celebrates spring.

Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele 

Bruschetta With Ricotta, Baby Peas And Fava Bean Puree

Bruschetta With Ricotta, Baby Peas And Fava Bean Puree

Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

A creamy light bruschetta topping perfect for spring.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Ricotta Cheese (Full Fat, Sheep's Ricotta If Possible)
  • 1 Cup Baby Peas Blanched Tender Crisp
  • 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Dash of Salt & Pepper
  • 1/4 Cup Fava Bean Purée
  • 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Cracked Black Pepper

For Bruschetta:

  • 8 Slices Crusty Baguette Type Bread
  • 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. Mix together the ricotta, peas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Grill or broil the bread slices until lightly browned.
  3. Brush with olive oil.
  4. Spoon a little of the ricotta mixture on each bread slice and spread.
  5. Spoon a dollop of the fava bean purée on each slice, then drizzle with the last of the olive oil.
  6. Finally, sprinkle each bruschetta with some cracked black pepper and serve.

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