White Bean Toasts with Grape Tomatoes that Have Burst and Pancetta

Toasts may appear to be an easy appetizer to serve, and you’d be correct; nevertheless, simplicity isn’t always a bad thing, especially when you have a lot of other entertaining activities to complete.

A basic piece of toast may appear to be a desperate, bottom-of-the-barrel attempt to find anything to eat, but a beautiful piece of toasted or fried bread topped with a variety of things may be imaginative and, frankly, extremely appetizing. After all, “Would you like a slice of bread?” isn’t the same as “Would you like a white bean toast with burst grape tomatoes and pancetta?”The toast is, of course, the most essential element. Choose the best bread you can find and consider how it will complement the toppings you’ve chosen. It should be robust enough to hold up to the toppings and have a taste that complements rather than detracts from them.

The crunch and chew of Italian ciabatta bread is combined with a robust bean spread and the tang and saltiness of tomatoes and pancetta in this substantial toast. The rosemary adds a woodsy note to the dish, making me feel like I should be eating it in front of a crackling fire in the corner. All of the components are traditional Italian pairings, and this toast is robust enough to serve as a starter or perhaps a light supper (if you use a large slice of bread) with a side salad.

INGREDIENTS
EIGHT OUNCES pancetta
1 CUP TOMATOES, GRAPE
15 OUNCE drained and washed cannellini beans
1–2 TABLESPOONS extra virgin olive oil
1 TABLESPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER 1 TABLESPOON FRESHLY GROUND ROSEMARY
4 SLICES Ciabatta bread, thickly sliced, chopped fresh chives

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toss the pancetta cubes into the air fryer basket after cutting them into 12-inch cubes. Air-fry for 8 minutes @ 400°F. Toss the grape tomatoes into the air fryer basket after shaking it. Continue to air-fry for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the tomatoes’ skins begin to break open and the pancetta is crisp. (Alternatively, you may cook the pancetta in a stovetop sauté pan.)

When the pancetta begins to brown, add the grape tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes more, until the skin on the tomatoes begins to break apart.) Set aside the pancetta and tomatoes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cannellini beans and olive oil. Toss the beans with a fork until coarsely mashed, then add the rosemary and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Place the bread pieces in the air fryer after brushing them generously with olive oil. Air-fry for 5 minutes at 400°F, flipping once for uniform browning. (Heat a big sauté pan over medium-high heat if preparing this on the stovetop.) Drizzle olive oil over the bottom of the pan to coat it. Fry the bread slices until toasted and light brown on both sides, using additional oil as required.)

Spread some of the mashed cannellini bean mixture on each toasted slice before assembling the toasts. Season with a few twists of freshly ground black pepper and finely chopped chives, then top with pancetta and burst tomatoes. Serve a slice as an appetizer, warm or at room temperature, or cut into triangles to serve as hors d’ouevres.
Enjoy.