Spring Pea Crostini With Lemon Creme Recipes

PEA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then arrange baguette slices on top in a single layer. Bake until the slices are toasted and golden around the edges, about 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peas and quickly blanch, 1 minute for fresh peas or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain peas and transfer to a bowl.
• Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes, then mash with the back of a fork. Stir in the dill, then the feta.
• Top each crostini with a few tablespoons of the pea mixture and serve.

SPRING PEA AND RICOTTA CROSTINI WITH FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of well-salted water to a boil and set up a bowl of well-salted ice water. Drop the peas in the boiling water, let the water return to a boil and cook the peas for 2 minutes. Scoop the peas out of the water and plunge them immediately into the ice water. When the peas are cool, remove them from the ice water and reserve. Repeat this process with the fava beans. When the favas are cool, peel off the tough outer layer and reserve the beans.
• In a food processor, pulse the peas to make a coarse paste. In a large bowl, combine the pea paste, ricotta and parmigiano; mix well, season with kosher salt (about 1/2 teaspoon) and taste to make sure it's delicious. In a separate bowl, toss the favas with the olive oil, mint, lemon zest and a pinch of kosher salt. Set aside.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and grill, flipping, until lightly charred, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of the pea-ricotta mixture onto each crostini. Top with the favas, a final shaving of parmigiano, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and grill until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice.
• Top with tomato halves and serve.
• *Cook's note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a preheated 300 degree F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

PEA AND RICOTTA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill over medium-low. Add the baguette slices and grill on both sides until toasted. Remove from the grill and rub the toasts with the garlic clove (discard clove). Drizzle lightly with the chili oil. Set the toasts aside.
• If using fresh peas, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the peas and blanch, about 1 minute. Then pour onto a sheet tray lined with a clean kitchen towel and allow to cool. If using frozen peas, add to a strainer and rinse under warm water to thaw, then set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, coarsely grated Parmesan, minced garlic, lemon zest and a pinch sea salt. Stir to combine. Add the peas and stir with a wooden spoon, lightly mashing the peas with the back of the spoon.
• To assemble, spoon the cheese and pea mixture onto the toasts, top with extra Parmesan to garnish, and serve.

SPRING PEA TOASTS WITH LEMON OLIVE OIL AND FRESH PEA SHOOTS

Steps:

• Rinse and drain the peas, discarding any blemished peas or bits of pod. Place in a food processor along with the lemon zest and juice, garlic, mint, and chives and pulse four or five times to chop. With the motor running slowly, add the olive oil to puree and make a paste, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl several times. Add the Parmesan cheese and pulse several more times to mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste and pulse to mix.
• Spread a heaping teaspoon of the pea mixture on top of each crostini, drizzle with Lemon Olive Oil, top each with 1 pea shoot, and serve at room temperature.
• Combine 1 cup fruity green extra-virgin olive oil and the zest and juice of 1 lemon in a glass jar, screw on the lid, and shake to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use, or for up to 2 weeks.