Fava Bean Mint Bruschetta Sourdough (Printable Version)

Creamy fava mash with mint and lemon on charred sourdough slices, fresh, bright spring flavors.

# What You'll 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

# Directions:

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 -
  • That combination of creamy beans and fresh mint feels almost too luxurious for how little effort it needs.
  • Every bite has a pop of lemon and charred sourdough, making it impossible to stop at just one slice.
02 -
  • Skipping the ice water plunge results in dull, gray beans—this step is crucial for keeping the favas bright and appealing.
  • Never underestimate the power of a hearty, chewy bread; crisp sourdough saves the day when the topping is lush and a little messy.
03 -
  • Rub the grilled bread with a raw garlic clove for extra punch before topping.
  • Letting the bean mixture sit for 10 minutes gives time for flavors to marry—if you’re patient, it’s even better.
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