Ricotta On Toast With Fava Beans And Mint
on Sep 30, 2020, Updated May 30, 2023
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Ricotta on toast? Yep. And it’s absolutely delicious when piled with a simple mix of fresh-tasting, brightly coloured fava beans and mint! You could say it’s a kind of (very) fancy beans on toast!
Why fava beans are underrated
Fresh fava beans (otherwise known as broad beans) are one of those vegetables that don’t get enough attention.
Some people have been put off them (Mr. Scrummy included) by well-intentioned mothers boiling them to a tasteless mush. Others – myself included – just may not have many ideas about what to do with them.
Here’s one very simple idea. If you’re on the fence about fava beans, I think this ricotta toast idea might change your mind!
What’s so great about this?
- It’s simple but fancy, which makes it perfect for appetizer bites, classy party plates, healthy snacks, and more.
- You only need 7 ingredients plus seasoning.
- It’s quick and easy to make, not to mention light and healthy.
- The mild ricotta cheese goes really well with the sweet nutty flavour of the smashed-up beans. Mint and lemon add another dimension of taste as does a drizzle of good quality olive oil. Fan of the Mediterranean diet? This one’s for you!
About the ingredients
As already mentioned, you need just 7 fairly basic ingredients plus seasoning to make these.
bread: You need smallish and thick slices of Italian or French style bread such as ciabatta or French baguette.
ricotta cheese: Any works, although I prefer the one with a bit of texture. So not the ‘smooth’ one.
olive oil: Good quality! Just a couple of tablespoons.
a lemon: Mostly the zest, but a little squeeze of the juice too.
fresh mint leaves: To make the whole thing sing!
a clove of garlic: Halve it. Then wipe over the toasted bread, bruschetta style!
ricotta cheese: Just a few tablespoons. Spread thickly over the bread.
How to cook fava beans/broad beans
There are 2 ways to make these. Take your pick!
Method 1: BOIL (in the skins) for 5 minutes. Drain. Then pop out of the skins (very satisfying!).
Method 2: MICROWAVE (still in the skins). Place in a microwave safe bowl or container with a bit of water. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Drain and pop out of the skins as above.
How to make these
Like all of the best simple but classy appetizers, there are just a few steps to making these yummy little ricotta crostini:
Step 1: Cook fava beans/broad beans as described above. Cool and pop out of skins.
Step 2: Mix cooked beans with chopped fresh mint, olive oil and lemon zest and a bit of juice.
Step 3: Toast bread slices and wipe with cut side of a garlic clove.
Step 4: Spread toast with ricotta cheese. Pile bean mixture on top. Garnish with more mint!
So simple. But look how gorgeous they are!
How to serve them
It’s best to serve these immediately when the toast is crispy and warm.
You can however prepare the fava bean topping ahead of time if you like.
I think these are quite adaptable. Serve them:
- as a party plate
- as a classy but simple dinner appetizer
- as a healthy and classy light lunch or snack
- as a fancy breakfast or brunch
Recipe FAQ
Fava beans/Broad beans are in season in the summer.
If you can’t get fresh fava or broad beans, feel free to use frozen broad beans for this recipe. Just follow the cooking instructions on the bag and pop out of the skin when cooked as with fresh.
Alternatively, this recipe works very very well with edamame, too! Again, frozen or fresh works!
I’m glad you asked! I think this would be really delicious using some kind of hummus instead of the ricotta cheese. I have a hummus with pine nuts recipe, or you could buy some kind of pre-made dip.
Of course the simplest way to make it vegan is to use a vegan soft cheese. Pesto would work too!
No, not at all! You can microwave them instead if you like 😉
Just place in a bowl with a tiny bit of water, cover with cling film with a hole pierced in it and microwave for 3 minutes. Then cool, drain and pod as you would if you boiled them.
More ricotta toast ideas
I love love love this idea. But there are so many other things you can do with ricotta toast. Just spread toast thickly with ricotta cheese and then add:
- a drizzle of honey, chopped nuts and perhaps a few slices of banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon
- sliced avocado and toasted pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or pine nuts
- slow roasted tomatoes and fresh basil (in fact check out this slow-roasted tomatoes and ricotta bruschetta recipe)
- fresh figs and honey (when figs are in season)
- strawberries and black pepper (it’s good, I promise!). In fact, any fruit works…
- sundried tomatoes and olives
More delicious crostini and bruschetta recipes
- Think classy, healthy and adaptable with this smoked salmon bruschetta with smashed avocado and feta. Makes a perfect special brunch or lunch treat.
- The flavours in this sweet potato, chorizo and feta bruschetta meld together perfectly. You have to try it!
- Ever tried a classic Spanish pan con tomate? Think a Spanish version of bruschetta. It’s incredible in its simplicity!
- This slow-roasted tomato and ricotta bruschetta hits the spot like you wouldn’t imagine. Perfect for parties, appetizer plates and snacks.
Got leftover ricotta? Try this 20-minute farfalle pasta with prosciutto, broccoli and ricotta recipe!
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Fava bean, mint and ricotta crostini
Ingredients
- a big handful of fava/broad beans
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon zest + a little of the juice
- 10 mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 thick slices of freshly baked bread e.g. sourdough, ciabatta OR 4 smaller slices e.g. from a French stick or smaller ciabatta loaf
- ½ a clove of garlic
- 3 tablespoons ricotta cheese
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Boil the fava/broad beans for 5 minutes (or microwave – see note below), then rinse under cold water and drain. Then squeeze the beans out of their skins and place in a bowl.
- Add the olive oil, lemon zest, a couple of squeezes of lemon juice and most of the mint and mix well.
- Toast the bread on both sides, then wipe the top side quickly with the cut side of the garlic.
- Spread the bread generously with the ricotta, then top with the fava/broad bean mixture. Grind over salt & pepper to taste, then garnish with the rest of the mint. Serve immediately while still warm.
I LOVE fava beans and we’ll be getting some in our CSA share this week. I am SO trying this!!
Ohhh please do, Marissa! Pop back and let me know what you thought if you do … 🙂
Love this crostini, Helen! That colour is amazing! I’ve never tried fava beans before, but they sound delicious too. Love the feta cheese! Perfect summer appetiser!
Thanks, Jess! They’re broad beans – you can get them from M&S in a microwavable pack!
Love finding new interesting recipes here Helen! Never cooked with fav beans, but will definitely try these amazing simple crostini! Pinning!
Thanks, Mira! You’ll love the fava beans – they are a bit like edamame, if you’ve ever tried those? It’s the colour I love the most!
Such pretty shots, Helen! Love watching your photography grow. Adore crostini any way I can get it.
Aw, thanks so much, Lori! Those sorts of compliments mean a lot to me. I must say my photography went through a ‘dodgy’ patch while I was struggling with the lack of light here in the winter, but now that summer’s here I’m ‘back in my flow’ a bit. Hopefully I can figure out the artificial light a bit more before next winter arrives! 🙂
I haven’t had broad beans in a long time and now you’ve inspired me with this delicious recipe. I must try this.
Very happy to have inspired you, Janette! Do try … they’re just delicious!
So I’m the biggest fava bean fan, and if that’s in the title, I know I’m going to love it! Then I saw your photos, and WOW. These look so delicious, Helen, and this is my kind of snack!
Aw, thanks so much for the lovely words, Marcie! I’m pretty sure you’d like these then, as you’re such a fava bean fan! They go really really well with the mint and ricotta … really hope you do try them!
Oh Helen, that bright green is GORGEOUS! I just love all of the fresh and zippy flavors on this crostini! Great photos too!
Hey thanks, Kathleen! I take a compliment from you on my photography as a compliment indeed 😉
This crostini looks gorgeous, Helen! This is such a creative idea to add in fava beans and mint. I love the flavor combination!
Thank you so much, Gayle! The fava beans and mint go really, really well and I hope you give these a go to find out for yourself! 🙂
Dear Helen, what a fresh and beautiful dish. It is such a healthy alternative to snacking too. Also perfect as appetizers for a summer gatherings. xo, Catherine
Hello Catherine! Thank you so much for the kind words! You’re right that these are a pretty healthy snack. I’m definitely going to make them when next entertaining this summer. I love the bright green!
I really enjoy fava beans but I don’t know if I’ve ever used them in my own kitchen! These crostini look awesome! Especially with the ricotta!
I know, Ashley, I was the same, but this is such a quick tasty snack I’ll definitely be making it again … and seeing what else I can do with fava beans. Hope you had a great weekend!