At a spring dinner party, pass these irresistible toasts with the evening’s first glass of
white wine. The fava bean spread is moist and sweet and a fresh spring green, with
pale grated pecorino as its salty counterpoint.
Prepare a moderate charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill to medium.
Remove the fava beans from their pods. Bring a pot of water
to a boil over high heat. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Add the
fava beans to the boiling water and boil for 1½ minutes, or a little
longer if the beans are large. Drain in a sieve or colander, then
transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking. When the beans are
cool, drain them again. To peel them, pierce the skin with your
fingernail; the inner bean should slip out easily.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a small skillet over
moderate heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about
1 minute. Remove from the heat.
Put the peeled fava beans, the sautéed garlic and all the
oil in the skillet, 3 of the basil leaves, and the remaining
1 tablespoon olive oil in a small food processor. Pulse until nearly
but not completely smooth; leave the spread slightly coarse.
Transfer to a bowl and stir in salt and pepper to taste.
Grill the bread on both sides directly over the coals or gas
flame until golden brown. Top each toast with some of the
fava spread, dividing it evenly. Drizzle with some olive oil. Shave
or grate some cheese over each toast. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Serve immediately.
