Recommended Approval means,
they basically agree that you have a strong case and should be approved.
You also eligible to apply for EAD right away even if you had not reach the 150 days point,
but this EAD is still the TEMPORARY EAD and NOT the permanent EAD like if you got full asylum approval.
The main reason you had not got full approval is because,
they still want to check your background, to make sure your name is clear all the security checks for national security purposes.
and if you came from some high risk country, then your background check might took longer, hence your long wait.
don't worry, if your background is clear, you will get approved sooner or later.