Fava Bean Mint Bruschetta Sourdough (Printable version)

Creamy fava mash with mint and lemon spooned over charred sourdough for a bright spring starter.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 300 g fresh or frozen fava beans, shelled
02 - 1 small clove garlic, minced
03 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
04 - Zest of 1/2 lemon
05 - 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Dairy

06 - 60 g ricotta cheese or goat cheese (optional for added creaminess)

→ Bread

07 - 4 thick slices sourdough bread

→ Pantry

08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
09 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 tsp lemon juice

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fava beans and boil for 2–3 minutes (if fresh) or 4–5 minutes (if frozen). Drain and plunge into ice water. Peel off and discard the tough outer skins.
02 - In a bowl, mash the peeled fava beans with a fork until coarse. Stir in garlic, mint, lemon zest, parsley (if using), 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
03 - Brush sourdough slices lightly with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Grill on a hot grill pan or barbecue for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and charred.
04 - Optional: For extra creaminess, spread ricotta or goat cheese onto the grilled bread before topping with the fava bean mixture.
05 - Spoon the fava bean and mint mixture generously over the grilled sourdough. Serve immediately, garnished with extra mint if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The fresh fava-and-mint mash is so good, you might just eat it by the spoonful before anyone else gets a bite.
  • Each bite balances creaminess, zesty lemon, and smoky bread just right, making it a foolproof hit for any gathering.
02 -
  • If you rush the blanching step, the fava beans stay stubbornly tough and waxy—be patient and always use that ice bath.
  • Discovering that a little fresh lemon juice right at the end makes the whole mixture taste lighter was a total game changer.
03 -
  • Always taste your fava mix before serving—sometimes adding a pinch more salt or a drizzle of olive oil really wakes things up.
  • Grill a few extra bread slices—they disappear fast, especially with hungry guests peeking into the kitchen!
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