Smashed Peas on Toast with Mint and Aleppo Pepper
By Mersedeh Prewer
Category
Appetizer & Mezze
Cuisine
American, Mediterranean
Servings
20
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
This easy recipe uses simple ingredients to make a flavorful and nutrient-dense appetizer, snack, or breakfast.
Ingredients
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2 cups shelled peas (frozen or fresh)
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Extra virgin olive oil
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 lemon, zested and juiced
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2 ounces feta, plus more for garnish
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Small bunch of fresh mint, leaves finely chopped
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1 loaf ciabatta or baguette (about 10 ounces), sliced (see note)
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Aleppo pepper, for garnish
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Kosher salt
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Black pepper
Directions
Cook the peas. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to boil. Add the fresh or frozen peas and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain the peas in a colander and rinse with cold water to prevent further cooking.
Prepare the smashed pea mixture. In a food processor, add the peas, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest and juice. Crumble in the feta. Set aside a sprinkle of mint leaves for garnish, then add the remaining chopped mint to the food processor. Pulse until you form a coarse purée. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice to taste. Remove the blade and cover until you’re ready to spread over the ciabatta toasts (up to overnight).
Prepare the toasts. Brush the bread with olive oil and place in a griddle pan over medium-high heat. Toast until crisped and browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Place toasts on your serving plate.
Assemble and serve the smashed pea toasts. Top each toast with the smashed pea mixture. Garnish each one with more crumbled feta, the reserved mint, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper. Serve.
Recipe Note
- Getting ahead: Make the smashed pea mixture up to one day ahead. Store covered in your refrigerator.
- On slicing the bread: I make about 20 1-inch slices for appetizers, or you can make thicker slabs for breakfast.
Nutrition
Calories 54, Fat 0.8 grams, Monounsaturated Fat 100 milligrams, Potassium 45.8 milligrams, Vitamin A 3.1 milligrams, Iron 0.3 milligrams, Carbs 9.4 grams, Saturated Fat 0.4 grams, Cholesterol 2.5 milligrams, Fiber 1.1 grams, Vitamin C 8.8 milligrams, Protein 2.5 grams, Polyunsaturated Fat 50 milligrams, Sodium 102.7 milligrams, Sugar 1 grams, Calcium 19.5 milligrams