Crostini Niçoise

Celebrate the genius of bread

Crostini Niçoise. Photograph: Harry Weir
Crostini Niçoise. Photograph: Harry Weir
Serves: 4
Course: Lunch, Dinner
Cooking Time: 10 mins
Prep Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

  • 3tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1tbs white wine vinegar
  • ½tbs dijon mustard
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • 4 slices focaccia
  • 2tbs vegetable oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 150g green beans, trimmed
  • 100g sundried tomatoes
  • 50g kalamata olives, pitted and sliced in half lengthways
  • Fresh dill sprigs to garnish
  • 1 tin or jar anchovies
  • Fresh mint leaves
  1. Start by making the French vinaigrette. Add the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a bowl and whisk together with a hand whisk, then set aside.
  2. Boil the kettle and pour the water into a medium-sized pot. Bring to the boil, then add the green beans and blanch for one minute. Strain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
  3. Heat a nonstick frying pan and add the oil and crushed garlic. Stir the garlic through the oil and allow to cook for one minute on a medium heat. Add the sliced focaccia face down and caramelise in the oil for one to two minutes until golden brown, then turn the slices over with a tongs and cook for a minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. Cut the blanched green beans in half and add to a bowl along with the sundried tomatoes, olives and some fresh dill sprigs. Spoon in some of the vinaigrette and stir it through until evenly coated.
  5. To assemble, spoon some of the dressed green beans, olives and sundried tomatoes over the toasted focaccia. Top with some anchovies, then finish with some more dill sprigs and mint leaves.