
This easy recipe knocks the socks off the idea of bruschetta as purely a summery phenomenon. In fact, the beans take on a slightly wintry richness, making it great for Christmas parties.
Serves 4 as a starter or 2 for lunch
Takes 50 minutes to make, plus soaking and cooking the beans
Per serving:
271kcals
12.7g fat (1.9g saturated)
9.4g protein
31.6g carbs
2.6g sugar
0.7g salt
1.To cook the beans: Soak in plenty of water for at least a couple of hours, preferably overnight. Drain thoroughly and rinse, then transfer to a saucepan and add cold unsalted water to cover the beans by a few centimetres. Bring to the boil and cook rapidly for 15 minutes, removing any scum. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender. Keep the cooked beans in their stock, unseasoned, until you wish to use them.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a low heat. Add the rosemary leaves and cook for a few seconds, until it starts to sizzle. Drain the cooked beans, reserving their liquor, then add to the pan. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring and adding some of the cooking liquor to stop the beans drying out, until they begin to break down. Mash with a fork to a rough purée or blitz in a food processor for a smoother houmous-like consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper and fold in the chopped tomatoes.
3. Grill the bread slices in a griddle pan (or toast them). Rub the warm bread with the garlic halves and drizzle generously with some olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, top with the bean mixture and lightly drizzle again with oil. Serve topped with slices of Parma ham, if you like.
© delicious. magazine
You could plump for white or red wine here but perhaps the colder season calls for a soft and fruity red, such as a Pinot Noir or Chianti.

Six simple yet scrumptious low fat step-by-step recipes, updated each month for you to use and download. This month we'll show you how to make Asian chicken salad and tropical salad with mint yoghurt.
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