Courgette and Fig Bagel "Bruschetta"

This recipe was pilfered from the Waitrose recipe website in part, but the other part was my own inspiration. We all know that bagels go great with smoked salmon, chives and philli, do we not? Well, this "bruschetta" (I use the inverted commas because I used bagels for a more doughy treat) recipe using courgette, lemon, tarragon and ricotta also works great on toasted bagels, and after seeing some figs reduced in the supermarket I decided to grill them and add them too. The sweetness of the grilled figs complements perfectly the creamy ricotta spiked with the liquorice notes of the tarragon and sharpness of the lemon. The courgettes add to the freshness of the topping and give a welcome crunch. Quick and easy, and a little more substatial than a traditional bruschetta,  this real is a scrumptious-simple-supper!

Courgette and Fig Bagel "Bruschetta" 

Ingredients (serves 2)

2 white bagels

100g ricotta cheese

zest of 1/2 a lemon

2 medium or 4 baby courgettes

a handful of chopped tarragon

olive oil

4 figs

salt and pepper

1 garlic clove halved 

Method

1. Preheat the grill to high.
2. Mix the tarragon, ricotta, lemon zest and a grind of salt or two if you wish.
3. Cut the bagels in half and rub with the halves of garlic.
4. Cut the courgette into strips - you should get 4 from one courgette.
5. Brush the courgette with oil on each side and grind over some salt and pepper. Griddle for 4 minutes on each side in a hot griddle pan. You still want some crunch, but they should be cooked, preferably with griddle marks for effect.
6. Meanwhile, grill the bagels to your preferred degree of toastiness on each side,  the halved  figs will need about 3 minutes under the grill on each side, flesh first and then skin up. 
7. When your bagels are done, spread the cheese mixture on them, adjusting seasoning if need be. Place the courgette strips on top and either serve the figs nestled amongst them or on top also. 
8. Serve with a green salad and eat with your hands for maximum enjoyment!

Delicious!

Yours,

G x