BASIC BAKED CROSTINI

Steps:

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly brush or spray both sides of each bread slice, then arrange on a baking sheet.
• Season each piece with salt and pepper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool before topping with ingredients.
• Tip: After your party, if you have extra crostinis on hand, store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Try chopping them into quick and easy croutons for a salad or as a garnish for homemade soup.
• Snack: 3 Easy Crostinis
• December 1, 2010
• Rate This Article
• Read & Add Comments(1)
• Share with friends
• Save This Print This
• In search of an appetizer that will impress every guest? Forego ordinary dips and finger foods, opting for something sophisticated and impossibly easy to make. Start with our steps for perfectly sliced and baked bread, then explore the endless topping possibilities and showcase your favorite winter flavors.
• Basic Baked Crostini
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• INGREDIENTS
• French baguette, sliced into 16 pieces, approximately 1/3" thick
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or olive oil spray
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• INSTRUCTIONS
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly brush or spray both sides of each bread slice, then arrange on a baking sheet.
• Season each piece with salt and pepper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool before topping with ingredients.
• Tip: After your party, if you have extra crostinis on hand, store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Try chopping them into quick and easy croutons for a salad or as a garnish for homemade soup.
• Quick Tip
• Savor mealtime, knowing you have help with clean-up. Cascade Complete® Pacs combine the best of powder and gel in one pac to conquer tough food cleaning and greasy messes, leaving you more time to enjoy the company of family.
• Variations on Basic Crostini
• Grilled Crostini:
• Instead of baking your crostinis, toss them on the grill to achieve a rustic, slightly smoky flavor that's just right for winter. Follow the same instructions, but instead of placing your bread slices in the oven, toast them for 2-3 minutes on each side on a grill over medium-high heat.
• Angle-Cut Crostini:
• Create instant elegance when you slice your baguette on a dramatic diagonal, as opposed to straight across. It's quick, easy and creates major impact at any gathering.
• Brie & Bacon Crostini with Fruit Chutney
• Oozing with mild, melted cheese and accented with chutney, this savory yet sweet snack is always a crowd favorite.
• Makes 16 pieces
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 1 minute
• crostinis
• slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
• ounces Brie cheese, sliced into 16 pieces
• 4 cup store-bought fruit chutney, flavor of your choice
• bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
• INSTRUCTIONS
• Heat broiler to high. Arrange crostini on a baking sheet and top each with a slice of Brie. Top cheese with 4-5 bacon pieces.
• Place baking sheet in the oven and broil very quickly, about 1 minute, or once the Brie begins to melt.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle approximately 1 teaspoon chutney on each. Garnish with fresh parsley, then serve.
• Tip: Use your favorite chutney to finish your crostinis-in the winter, we love flavors like apple-cranberry, blackberry or our homemade Mango Chutney. Create multiple batches and top with different kinds to create more variety for your guests!
• Crostinis with Roasted Red Peppers, Golden Raisins & Blue Cheese
• Instead of topping each crostini individually, combine the toppings into a mixture and use your crostinis for dipping. Set out this colorful combo of ingredients, then decoratively fan your bread around it.
• Serves 4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• INGREDIENTS
• jar (15-17 oz.) roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
• tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted
• tablespoons golden raisins
• tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
• crostinis, for dipping
• INSTRUCTIONS
• Combine the peppers, pine nuts, raisins and blue cheese in a medium-size bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with parsley. Serve with crostinis.
• Tip: Toasting nuts releases their natural oils, intensifying both the aroma and flavor. Before you combine your ingredients, pour the pine nuts into a sauté pan and let sit over medium-low heat for 2-4 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant.
• Party Presentation Idea: We think beautiful, colorful food can double as tabletop décor at any party. For an easy, inexpensive centerpiece, pile citrus fruits like lemons, limes, clementines and pomegranates in a large glass vase or bowl.
• Goat Cheese with Spicy Tomato Sauce & Rosemary
• Blend together creamy, tangy cheese and marinara sauce for a one-of-a-kind dip that's bubbling over with big flavor. Accented with rustic herbs and spices, it's perfect for winter entertaining.
• Serves 4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Bake time: 20 minutes
• INGREDIENTS
• 8-ounce log goat cheese
• cup marinara sauce
• 2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• teaspoon black pepper
• teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• crostinis, for dipping
• INSTRUCTIONS
• Heat oven to 350°F. Place goat cheese log in a small gratin or baking dish.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine marinara sauce with crushed red pepper flakes, then pour over the goat cheese. Top with black pepper.
• Place dish in the oven and bake until sauce is bubbling and goat cheese is soft, about 20 minutes. Garnish with rosemary and serve immediately with crostinis for dipping.