Niçoise toasts

These bite-sized, crostini-like mouthfuls are packed with robust Mediterranean flavours including anchovies, capers and olives

Prep:10 mins
Cook:40 mins
plus cooling

Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 53
fat 2g
saturates 1g
carbs 6g
sugars 1g
fibre 1g
protein 2g
salt 0.4g

Ingredients

1 x 150g part-baked baguette, cut into 24 slices (blitz the ends into breadcrumbs and freeze)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus a little extra to drizzle
6 anchovy fillets in olive oil (from a jar or can), drained
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ medium red onion, finely chopped
227g can chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
25g mini capers, drained
½ tsp chilli flakes
12 pitted black olives, ideally Kalamata, drained and halved
2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan
baby basil leaves, to serve

Tip

To freeze

Open-freeze the uncooked canapés on a baking parchment-lined baking tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer-proof container, interleaving with baking parchment. Cover tightly with a lid and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Cook the Niçoise toasts from frozen on baking trays for 10 mins or until hot throughout, then top with the basil.

Method

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the bread slices on a large baking tray in a single layer and drizzle over 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Bake for 10-12 mins or until dry, taking care not to let them burn or become too hard.
Heat the remaining oil in a medium non-stick frying pan and cook the anchovies, garlic and onion for 3-4 mins over a low heat until well softened, stirring until the anchovies break up. Add the tomatoes, purée, capers and chilli flakes, and cook over a low heat for 10-15 mins, stirring regularly, until the sauce is thick. Leave to cool for 15 mins.
Once cool, spread a little tomato sauce on each piece of bread and top with half an olive. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, then cover and chill for up to 24 hrs until ready to reheat.
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the toasts on a parchment-lined baking tray (or two) and bake for 8 mins or until hot throughout. To serve, garnish with basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.