White Bean Bruschette with Lemon, Parsley and Caper Relish

Creamy, mild white beans seasoned with garlic, pepper flakes and lemon, then mashed to a coarse puree is a pantry-easy topping for toasted slices of baguette. The bruschette are a blank canvas for big, bold finishing touches, such as a bright relish of lemon, parsley and capers; see below for a couple variations. If your baguette is slender, slice it on a sharp diagonal to create more surface area for holding toppings. Serve these as a snack or a light main with a leafy salad alongside.