Best Herbed Broad Bean Feta Crostini With Asparagus Recipes

ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH FETA & LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large, lidded pot with a steamer insert, fill with 1 1/2 inches of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Steam the asparagus pieces, covered, until they are tender-firm, 4 to 7 minutes. Drain in a colander under cold, running water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon zest and juice, mint, salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, combine the beans, feta cheese, radishes, scallions and steamed asparagus pieces. Add the dressing and gently toss to evenly coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

ASPARAGUS AND HERB FRITTATA

Steps:

• Steam the asparagus until tender, about 5 minutes. Refresh with cold water, drain and pat dry. Cut into 1/2-inch slices and set aside.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Beat in the milk, salt, pepper, and herbs. Stir in the asparagus and the Parmesan if using.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a 10-inch heavy nonstick skillet. Hold your hand above it; it should feel hot. Drop a bit of egg into the pan and if it sizzles and cooks at once, the pan is ready. Pour in the egg mixture. Swirl the pan to distribute the eggs and filling evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, tilting it slightly with one hand while lifting up the edges of the frittata with the spatula in your other hand, to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. Turn the heat down to low and cover the pan. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the pan every once in a while, until the frittata is just about set. Meanwhile, light the broiler.
• If the frittata is not quite set on the top, place under the broiler, about 3 inches from the heat, for 1 minute, watching closely, until just beginning to color on the top. Do not allow the eggs to brown too much or they'll taste bitter. Remove from the heat, allow to sit in the pan for 5 minutes or longer, then carefully slide out onto a platter, or cut in wedges in the pan. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold.

LEMON-HERB ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Steps:

• Toss 1/2 pound asparagus (trimmed and thinly sliced) with 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and chopped basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and a pinch each of salt and red pepper flakes. Rub toasted baguette slices with a halved garlic clove. Top with ricotta, the asparagus and chopped chives.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• Heat olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small pan over low heat until garlic becomes golden and oil becomes fragrant; remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Bend asparagus gently until it breaks at a natural point and discard ends.
• Toss asparagus pieces with infused olive oil and place in a single layer on a baking sheet (one with a side edge).
• Season asparagus with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle asparagus with crumbled feta cheese.
• Roast at 400F for 12 minutes or until cooked to your liking.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley and squeeze the lemons over the asparagus, being careful to catch the seeds.
• Serve hot.

HERBED FAVA BEANS WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fava beans and cook 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the ice water; let cool about 5 minutes (keep the pot of water boiling). Drain the beans, then peel off their skins (they should slip right off). Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve about 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• Heat the olive oil, garlic, mint sprigs, parsley sprigs and all but 2 tablespoons of the scallions in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the scallions are soft, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the favas and 1 cup of the reserved cooking water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the favas are tender and the liquid is slightly reduced, 8 to 10 minutes; discard the garlic and herb sprigs.
• Add the pasta to the skillet and cook, tossing until it absorbs some of the sauce, about 3 minutes. Stir in the butter, chopped mint and parsley, reserved scallions, and salt and pepper to taste. Add more cooking water to loosen, if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Tip: If you can't find fresh fava beans, use frozen shelled and skinned ones and blanch as directed.

ARUGULA AND FAVA-BEAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Cook fava beans in boiling water, uncovered, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Gently peel off skins (if using edamame, don't peel).
• Pulse fava beans in a food processor until very coarsely chopped, then transfer half of mixture to a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup arugula, cheese, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper to favas in processor and purée until smooth. Add to bowl. Coarsely chop remaining cup arugula and gently fold into fava-bean mixture.
• Cut 16 diagonal slices (1/3 inch thick) from baguette and put in a 4-sided sheet pan. Drizzle with remaining tablespoon oil. Bake until pale golden and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Rub with cut side of garlic.
• Spoon fava-bean mixture onto baguette toasts, then drizzle with oil and top with mint.
• What to drink:
• Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano '07