Fresh Fava Bean and Parmesan Bruschetta

Delicious & Easy Fava Beans on Toast: Your Ultimate Summer Appetizer

Summer days often call for meals that are as light and breezy as the season itself. We crave simplicity, fresh flavors, and dishes that come together in minutes, leaving more time for sunshine and good company. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe – or perhaps more accurately, a delightful idea – that perfectly embodies this spirit: Fava Beans on Toast. This isn’t just a dish; it’s a testament to how humble ingredients can create something truly extraordinary with minimal effort. It’s the kind of spontaneous culinary magic that happens when you’re caught up in the joy of the moment, surrounded by friends and the warmth of a summer evening.

Fava beans on toast

This particular idea came to mind recently as I was reminiscing about a lovely gathering a few weeks ago. The memory of these vibrant, fresh fava beans perched atop crisp toast, adorned with generous shavings of Parmesan, instantly brought a smile to my face. It was a revelation in simplicity and flavor. Perfect for those impromptu summer get-togethers when hungry mouths appear, and you need something impressive yet effortless to serve. As someone currently immersed in the world of legumes – my upcoming book is in its final, exhilarating stages of completion, meaning I literally live and breathe beans – this recipe couldn’t be more fitting. My dreams are filled with soaking times and bean varieties; it’s an exciting, albeit all-consuming, phase!

The Irresistible Charm of Fava Beans on Toast

What makes fava beans on toast such a stellar choice for any occasion, especially during the warmer months? It’s a harmonious blend of textures and tastes: the crunchy toast, the creamy, slightly earthy fava beans, the salty bite of Parmesan, and the refreshing whisper of mint. It’s light, healthy, and incredibly satisfying. Moreover, it speaks to the beauty of seasonal eating, utilizing fresh fava beans at their peak.

Why Fava Beans?

Fava beans, also known as broad beans, are nutritional powerhouses packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They offer a delicate, slightly nutty flavor and a tender texture when properly prepared. While they require a bit of peeling, the effort is truly minimal for the rewarding taste and vibrant green color they bring to the plate.

Your Simple Recipe for Fava Beans on Toast

This isn’t so much a rigid recipe as it is a guiding principle. Feel free to adjust quantities to your liking!

Ingredients:

  • Fresh fava beans (about 1-2 cups shelled, from 2-3 lbs in pods)
  • Good quality crusty bread (sourdough, ciabatta, or a rustic country loaf work wonderfully)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste)
  • Fresh mint leaves, thinly snipped or torn
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra kick

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Fava Beans: Shell the fava beans from their pods. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shelled fava beans and blanch for 1-2 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain them well.
  2. Peel the Fava Beans (Optional, but Recommended): This step is key for a truly smooth and tender experience. Pinch off one end of each blanched fava bean to easily pop out the bright green inner bean from its tougher outer skin. Discard the skins. This might sound tedious, but it’s surprisingly quick and yields a much more refined result.
  3. Prepare the Toast: Slice your bread into moderately thick pieces. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil. You can grill the bread on a grill pan, toast it in a toaster oven, or pan-fry it until golden brown and slightly crisp.
  4. Assemble the Toasts: Once the toast is ready, arrange the peeled fava beans generously over each slice.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Using a vegetable peeler, create beautiful, thin shavings of fresh Parmesan cheese directly over the fava beans. This adds a wonderful visual appeal and a burst of salty umami. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly snipped mint leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a grind of fresh black pepper. A tiny pinch of sea salt can also enhance the flavors.

Tips for Perfection & Variations:

  • Don’t Skip the Blanching and Peeling: While some recipes might suggest skipping the second peel, it truly elevates the dish, making the fava beans incredibly tender.
  • Quality Ingredients Matter: Since this recipe is so simple, the quality of your olive oil, bread, and cheese will shine through. Invest in good ones!
  • Add a Zest: A little lemon zest grated over the top before serving adds a beautiful brightness.
  • Spice It Up: For those who love a bit of heat, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes can be a delightful addition.
  • Herb Alternatives: If mint isn’t your favorite, fresh dill or even a little parsley can work well.
  • Make it a Crostini: For a party, slice your bread into smaller, bite-sized pieces for elegant crostini.

Beyond the Kitchen: My World of Beans and Community

While my days are currently a whirlwind of “bean-centric” culinary adventures and writing, life, as always, is a beautiful balance of passions and commitments. This week has been particularly bustling, with a sudden onslaught of other imminent deadlines and my role covering traffic on the Eyeopener. And as if that weren’t enough, this upcoming weekend marks a truly special event I’ve helped organize and am thrilled to be emceeing: Gallery Calorie! In fact, I’m in a meeting about it right now, looking very busy taking notes on my laptop. (But fear not, Artemis girls – I’m absolutely paying attention! You’re talking about silent auction items, which I adore. Silent auctions are my secret weapon for finding cool gifts while also supporting worthy causes.)

If your Saturday plans are still up in the air, I implore you to join us! Gallery Calorie is unequivocally the best party in the park of the year. Imagine this: you start with a leisurely stroll up and down Calgary’s vibrant 17th Avenue. You pop into charming shops and inviting restaurants, sampling delicious food, exquisite wines, and other delightful treats. All the while, you’re taking in captivating art and perhaps even indulging in a little retail therapy. The evening then culminates in an epic after-party at Tomkins Park, nestled in front of Mount Royal Village. We’ll have a fantastic live band, Magnolia Buckskin, filling the air with their amazing tunes, along with more food, refreshing drinks, and general merrymaking. And yes, I’ll be there, microphone in hand, guiding the festivities!

The Thrill of the Art Race!

Oh, they’re discussing the Art Race now – this is truly the highlight and a completely unique experience! We’ve gathered 30 stunning pieces of original art, and we sell 30 tickets at $150 each. At the after-party, we hold an exciting race. The artwork is beautifully displayed under a tent, allowing everyone to peruse and fall in love with their favorite pieces in advance. Then, we start drawing numbers. The first person whose number is called gets the coveted first pick, and so on. It is SO MUCH FUN! Last year, I was incredibly lucky and brought home an original Lisa Brawn woodcut. I absolutely adore her work! This particular piece was crafted from a chunk of reclaimed grain elevator – how incredibly cool is that? I remember drooling over her pieces at the Axis gallery at Art Central during Christmas, and they were worth far, far more than $150. It became immediately clear that Santa wasn’t going to be spending that much! But the fantastic news is, she’s back again this year! I can barely wait to see what incredible creations she brings. All participating artists, of course, generously donate their work – a huge thank you to all of them for their incredible contributions.

Making a Difference: Our Chosen Charities

Beyond the art and merriment, there’s a profound purpose to Gallery Calorie. All the proceeds from this year’s event are dedicated to two truly deserving charities. First, the Servants Anonymous Society, an organization doing vital work in our community. Second, Birthday Buddies, an incredible group that buys, wraps, and delivers gifts, balloons, and cake to children living in homeless shelters throughout Calgary. Can you possibly imagine a more heartwarming cause? Bringing a moment of joy and celebration to kids who are navigating such difficult circumstances is truly priceless. We sold out last year, but there are still some tickets available for this year’s event. They are just $40 – email me if you’d like to secure yours, or conveniently purchase them online at the Gallery Calorie website.

And here’s an extra incentive: the forecast for this Saturday promises beautiful sunshine! Remember the sun? It feels like a rare treat sometimes. What better way to celebrate our few precious days in its glorious presence than with martinis, delicious cheese from Janice Beaton, delectable cupcakes, and the best company? Come join us!

Oh right, back to those fabulous fava bean toasts. Their simplicity belies their utterly delicious nature. As I mentioned, we enjoyed them immensely at a birthday party a few weeks ago. They took mere minutes to assemble, perfectly complementing our drinks as we stood around, chatted, and laughed. The process was straightforward: slices of good bread were brushed with olive oil and then grilled to a perfect crisp. They were then generously topped with a delightful tumble of those vibrant fava (or broad) beans and, crucially, big, delicate shavings of Parmesan cheese, easily created with a vegetable peeler. I recall a hint of fresh mint snipped over the top, which added a wonderful burst of freshness. Truly, it’s the quintessential patio food – effortless, elegant, and endlessly enjoyable.

So, as I set my alarm for 4 AM this week, anticipating the early mornings, I’m already looking forward to the well-deserved extra martinis on Saturday, along with more delightful cheese (thank you, Janice Beaton!) and those irresistible cupcakes. Won’t you come and join us for a day of art, community, and culinary simple pleasures?

And if you’re eagerly “jonesing” for new recipes, I do have some exciting additions over at Family Kitchen. Be sure to check out my latest creation: the truly delightful Blueberry Brown Sugar Buttermilk Cake. Happy cooking, and hope to see you on Saturday!