Description
A fresh and vibrant White Bean, Black-Eyed Pea, and Avocado Crostini recipe that combines creamy beans, crisp bell peppers, spicy jalapeño, and ripe avocado on toasted French baguette slices. This easy-to-make appetizer is perfect for entertaining or a light snack, featuring a zesty honey-lime dressing and the perfect crunch from oven-toasted crostini.
Ingredients
Scale
Bean and Vegetable Mixture
- 15 ounce can small white beans (rinsed and drained)
- 15 ounce can black-eyed peas (lightly rinsed and drained)
- 1 small red bell pepper (diced)
- 3 or 4 green onions (diced)
- 1 jalapeño (seeded as desired and diced)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 avocado (chopped)
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ lime (juiced)
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Crostini
- 1 French baguette (sliced)
- Olive oil (as needed for brushing)
Instructions
- Combine the Beans and Vegetables: In a large bowl, mix together the rinsed white beans and black-eyed peas with diced red bell pepper, green onions, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro until evenly distributed.
- Prepare the Dressing and Toss: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour this dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture and toss to coat all ingredients well. Gently fold in the chopped avocado to avoid mashing it.
- Preheat Oven for Crostini: Set your oven to preheat at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to prepare the baguette slices for toasting.
- Prepare and Bake Crostini: Arrange the sliced French baguette pieces on a baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each slice with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until the slices turn golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Spoon the bean and avocado mixture generously onto each toasted crostini. Serve immediately as an appetizer or snack. Alternatively, enjoy the mixture as a dip with tortilla chips for a versatile snack option.
Notes
- For extra spice, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- The crostini can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container, re-crisp before serving if needed.
- Use gluten-free baguette slices to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Honey can be substituted with agave syrup to make the recipe vegan.
- If preferred, add a squeeze more lime juice for extra tanginess.
