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Garden Puree Bruschetta
Picture this: 6:15am, after a humid night with too little sleep, I summoned the kid back to bed and kindly asked him not to bug me again until the bunny in his clock was wide awake and hyperly hopping around. ‘Hyperly’, is that even a word?
Anyway, I was unable to sleep again when he decided this would be the perfect time to play dinosaur, matching sounds, arm flapping and all—he’s into Pteranodons, go figure. Turned on the tv and was flipping through some channels when I ended up on the Food Network. Now that happens a lot these days. It’s broadcasted day and night, it’s entertaining and some of the food they cook is amazing.
I stumbled upon my favorite chef, Tyler Florence, who was making a mouth-watering Bruschetta recipe that had me drooling all over my pillow, even at this ungodly hour of the day. The puree was a combination of some of the freshest garden vegetables with creamy ricotta, spread on top of a crunchy bruschetta. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mind me borrowing his recipe to spread the love!
It turned out to be every bit as drool-worthy as I imagined it to be on that early morning in July.
Ingredients:
French bread
12 green asparagus
1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
7 oz haricot verts
2 spring onions (green part only)
1 large garlic clove, cut in half
Parmesan curls
9 oz ricotta
pepper
salt
oil
Directions:
Note:
I followed Tyler’s recipe but it made for an awful lot of vegetable puree. Too much, really. Unless you have an entire crowd to feed, I suggest you cut the recipe in half.
I opted for fresh peas for a change. Could have easily been frozen peas but then I would’ve missed out on taking these shots! Aren’t vegetables beautiful?
1 cup of fresh peas, to be exact.
And I bought green asparagus. They’re by far the most flavorful. The prettiest, too!
We’ll only be using the tips. About 2 and a half inches.
Haricot verts, they’re so tender. You can also use tender green beans. I took a shortcut and bought them trimmed.
Coarsely chop up the green part of 2 green onions.
Note:
If this would have been my recipe I would have added a little extra flavor, maybe add a small piece of yellow onion and a garlic clove to the boiling water.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanche the vegetables until they’re bright green. This will take you 4 to 5 minutes.
The ricotta worked so well with this puree, it was creamy without being intrusive. Big plus is that ricotta is naturally low in fat and salt. And if by chance you end up with some leftover ricotta, just make one of these Celestial Blessed Pastrami Sandwiches with it!
While you’re blanching the veggies, get a big bowl of really cold water nearby and drop some ice cubes in there. This was the moment I found out I only had three measly ice cubes left in my entire freezer. Story of my life.
As soon as your veggies are done (the peas will be bright green) drain them.
And plunge them in ice water to stop the cooking process: we don’t want to lose that greenness. Drain them again and transfer them to your food processor or blender.
Add some oil—about one or two tbsp—and a good pinch of salt, pepper and the ricotta. Don’t skimp on the salt.
Blitz until it’s a gorgeous green puree.
Let’s make the bruschetta! Slice a French bread and brush or spray them with oil. I’m really liking this oil mister!
Pop them in the oven and bake them at 400F (200C) until golden brown and crispy, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Get yourself a large garlic clove and cut it in half. I totally forgot to buy the good Parmesan, so had to do with these flakes that I usually keep in my fridge.
Once your bruschetta is done, rub the garlic on it while they’re still hot. This will add loads of flavor.
Spoon the vegetable puree on top of the bruschetta and finish it with the Parmesan curls, or Parmesan flakes in my case.
These were really tasty, so fresh, light and summery. Made for a great appetizer. I do think I will add garlic and onion next time, maybe even add some good Parmesan to the puree itself, but these were a definite do-again!
| Garden Puree Bruschetta | |
| Ingredients |
12 green asparagus 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen) 7 oz haricot verts 2 spring onions (green part only) 1 large garlic clove, cut in half 9 oz ricotta Parmesan curls pepper salt oil |
| Directions |
Get a bowl of ice water. Drain the vegetables, plunge them in the ice water to stop the cooking process and drain them again. Transfer them to your food processor and add 1 or 2 tbsp oil, the ricotta and a generous a mount of salt and pepper. Don’t skimp on the salt! Blitz until you have a smooth puree. Slice the French bread and brush it with a good extra virgin olive oil. Put it in the oven and bake at 400F (200C) until golden brown and crispy, this will take 10 to 15 minutes. As soon as the bread is done, rub a garlic clove on them, top them with the puree and finish them with Parmesan curls. |
| Meal type: | appetizer / snack |
| Servings: | 16 |
| Variations | Feel free to add a garlic clove and maybe piece of onion to the boiling water. I also think adding some parmesan to the puree itself will be really tasty! |
| copyright © kayotickitchen.com | |
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That looks delicious! I like Tyler Florence, too. He’s the only celebrity chef whose cookbook I’ve bought. As for the parmesan cheese, we just got a wedge in the mail from my boyfriend’s mother in Italy. She sends it to us when we run low. ;)
@ Alison:
Our cheese store at the mall closed, that’s nothing short of a tragedy to me since I bought all the good stuff there. Now I have to go downtown for the better cheeses.
Kay, those pictures are tantalizing. Stunning photography!
Yum!
Coming here always makes me hungry.
BTW, this is my favourite blog layout/design yet.
That looks absolutely perfect! Great idea too.. Just bookmarked the recipe as I will definitely be making this very soon!
On a sidenote; can we really get the food network here in Holland?? I have UPC digital tv but haven’t been able to find it! Should it be on there?
@ Simone:
You can only get Food network when you’re using Caiway!
Beautiful and tasty looking :) I’ve been known to watch hours of uninterrupted Food Network… which is why I no longer have cable. It’s sad, but I get lost on FN and HGTV … we now do Netflix only and I have many more hours in my day lol.
That’s a beautiful little appetizer, Kay. So fresh and refreshing I’m sure. Tyler Florence is one of my favorites as well. He’s a good southern boy, grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and has his culinary roots in southern cuisine. I always enjoy watching him cook.
I don’t have a food processor :(
Really proves how much of a foodie I’m not!
It does look delish and your pics are beautiful (as always)
Question, If I make a tomato bruchetta should I make it ahead of time and let it chill and marinate or make it when I need it?
Thanks in advance Kay!
@ Teri:
I usually make it about an hour before I’m serving it, that way the flavors can mingle, but if you make it too far ahead the sugars will start to break down and it’ll become watery.
This looks very yummy and ready to eat (from the computer screen itself). I have not tried it with peas so it will be great to try. I love the green color of veggies Thank you for sharing.
This looks amazing and will be perfect appetizer to serve at our next bbq. btw… love all your photos. Especially the first one of the peas - I want to blow it up and hang it my kitchen! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ohh yum! What a twist. :)
I can so see why you were drooling! This is a must make!
My girls are watching Dinosaur Train as I write this. Their absolute favorite show!
I love asparagus! I wish it was in season all year round. I made <a href=”http://www.recipe4living.com/recipes/asparagus_roll_ups.htm”>Asparagus Roll-Ups</a> for a snack over the weekend! Delicious! I’m going to have to try your recipe next!
i wonder how does this taste…unfortunately, im not really into vegetables.. but this one looks promising!
I like to make a similar type of bruschetta. Instead of different vegetables I use just fava beans, mashed in a saucepan over low heat with garlic and a little oil. Then you put a slice of pear over it and some parmesan cheese. I got the recipe from a friend who I think got it from some Jamie Oliver cookbook. It’s heavenly (plus it makes a really good sandwich, too!)