Every meal at Lucio’s Paddington restaurant started with bruschetta, a slice of delicious toasted Italian bread, topped with a mound of something seasonal. I love using tender young broad beans during their short spring season to make this broad bean bruschetta. In summer it’s often diced ripe tomatoes; sliced sauteed mushrooms are wonderful in autumn; and in winter preserved foods like beautiful anchovies in olive oil or a dice of olives with some fresh herbs is the perfect start to a meal. I sometimes spread some Vannella buffalo ricotta under the broad bean purée, but it’s also delicious on its own as a bruschetta topping or as a dip. Serve with Dal Zotto Col Fondo prosecco for a great start to any meal.

Serves 4-6 as a starter

Ingredients
  • 300g fresh young broad beans
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 6 small basil leaves
  • Salt flakes, to taste
  • 4 slices rustic bread
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and bruised
  • 100g ricotta (optional)
  • 1 lemon
Method
  1. Remove broad beans from the pod.
  2. Blanch in well-salted boiling water for 2 minutes, refresh in iced water then drain.
  3. Cut a slit in the top of each pod and squeeze them to slip off the thick outer skin.
  4. Place in a small food processor with oil, basil and salt and pulse to a coarse paste.
  5. Toast the bread and, while still warm, rub with the garlic, discarding the debris.
  6. Drizzle with oil.
  7. Top with ricotta (if using) then broad bean purée.
  8. Cut in half on the diagonal and grate a little lemon zest over the top.
  9. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with oil and serve broad bean bruschetta.

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FAQ

What is bruschetta?

Bruschetta is a slice of toasted Italian bread topped with a mound of something seasonal, usually served as an appetizer.

What's a good bruschetta topping for spring?

I love using a puree of tender young broad beans during their short spring season, with or without some ricotta underneath.

What is a good bruschetta topping in summer?

In summer it’s hard to beat diced ripe tomatoes with a little basil and plenty of delicate olive oil.

What's a good bruschetta topping in autumn?

Sliced sauteed mushrooms make a wonderful bruschetta topping in autumn.

What can I put on bruschetta in winter?

In winter preserved foods like beautiful anchovies in olive oil or a dice of olives with some fresh herbs (try thyme or oregano) is the perfect start to a meal.

How do you pronounce bruschetta?

In Italian bruschetta is pronounced broo-scet-a; when an ‘h’ is preceded by a ‘c’, it is silent.

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