Three Bean Crostini

Heave that sigh of relief....no zucchini recipe!!! Though I still have a bag of squash tricks. Let's move on! Beans are the star performers. Two dried and fresh Romanos  from the garden. This crostini topping was walloped by G when Geeta made it way back in June. Since we are tailgating before a Paul McCartney concert, the beans will make easy finger food. 

The recipe comes from Bon Appetit. You could very well cook red kidney and canellini beans, but cans are a great time saver. The fresh green beans provide an essential crunch. Fresh tomatoes, chiles and herbs are blended and drained. The secret ingredient is chia seeds. Not overtly visible, they offer power packed nutrition. Start your blenders!!!

THREE BEAN CROSTINI 

Adapted from Bon Appetit

Serves 6 as an appetizer 
DF, VN, VG, EF

1 14oz can red Kidney Beans

1 14oz can Canellini Beans

10 Green Beans

1 tablespoon Chia Seeds

2 large Tomatoes 

2-3 green Chiles

1/2 cup Cilantro

1/2 Red Onion

1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 Lime, juiced

1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

4 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 French Bread baguette 

1 tablespoon Olive Oil 

Open bean cans and rinse beans under cool water. Place beans in a bowl.

Thinly slice green beans on a diagonal.

Cut tomatoes, green chiles and onion into chunks.

Blend tomatoes, green chiles, onions, cilantro, salt and lime juice till smooth. 

Pour blended tomatoes into a sieve, allowing tomato juices to drain. 

Add tomato pulp to beans, along with slivered green beans, chia seeds, salt and olive oil.

Let beans sit in the fridge for a few hours while you make the crostini.

Heat oven to 375F.

Cut bread  on the diagonal into thin slices.

Lay slices in one layer on a baking sheet. You might need two baking sheets. 

Brush slices with olive oil.

Bake crostini for 15-20 minutes checking the slices a few times. They should be pale brown.

Remove from oven and cool crostini on wire rack. When cool, place crostini in an airtight container or in ziplock bags.

Serve beans piled high on crostini for a hearty appetizer.

Tailgating with wine and crostini turns out to be a blast. The concert that follows is even more exciting. Beatlemania and beans turn out to be  a good combination.

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