Crostini With Cheese Torta And Marinated Bell Peppers Food

THREE CHEESE CROSTINI APPETIZER

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 5 to 6 inches from the broiler element. Preheat the broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• In a small bowl gently toss the tomatoes, shallots, 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and vinegar together. Spread out the mixture on the prepared baking sheet. Set the baking sheet on a rack under the broiler element. Broil until the tomatoes begin to show a few black spots, about 4 minutes with oven door closed. Turn the mixture, using a spatula, and broil 3 minutes longer with the oven door closed. Remove from the oven and transfer the mixture with a slotted spoon to a small bowl; set the bowl aside until needed. Retain the broiler heat on high.
• While the tomatoes are broiling, combine the ricotta, blue cheese, pesto, 1/2 teaspoon salt, lemon juice and lemon peel in a medium bowl.
• Arrange the baguette slices on a large baking sheet and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Put the baking sheet on the rack under the broiler element and broil until golden, about 1 minute or so per side, watching carefully. Remove from oven.
• To assemble, season the tomato mixture with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and peppercorns, then stir in the basil. Spread some of the ricotta mixture over each crostini. Top with the tomato/onion mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese, dividing all the ingredients equally among the slices. Transfer to a serving plate and serve.

ROASTED PEPPER TOMATO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Grill bread uncovered 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.
• Mix tomatoes, basil, vinegar, salt and bell peppers. Spread tomato mixture on bread. Top each slice with about 1 teaspoon cheese.
• Cover and grill 4 to 6 inches from medium heat about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve hot.

SWEET PEPPER CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet. Brush the oil over the bread slices. Bake until pale golden and crisp, about 15 minutes. Arrange the bell pepper strips atop the bread. Sprinkle with the cheese. Broil until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.

MARINATED GOAT CHEESE ROUNDS WITH CROSTINI

Steps:

• Goat Cheese Rounds:.
• Roll the cheese into a 4" long log. Slice into 1" thick rounds and place in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, thyme, pepper, olives, and olive oil until well blended. Pour over the goat cheese and marinate, refrigerated, for 2 hours to 1 week. Before serving, let warm to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Crostini:.
• Preheat the broiler or grill. Drizzzle the bread with olive oil, and grill or broil until golden brown. When the crostini come out of the oven or off the grill, rub them with a bit of the minced garlic. Then cut in half on the diagonal. Serve the warm crostini with the goat cheese. Enjoy!

BELL PEPPER AND ONION CROSTINI WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Make toasts:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Put baguette slices on 2 large baking sheets, then brush tops with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in batches in middle of oven until pale golden, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack.
• Cook peppers and onions:
• Cook bell peppers, onions, and garlic with salt in oil in a wide 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until softened, 20 to 25 minutes. Cover pot and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender and just starting to brown, 20 to 25 minutes more. Stir in vinegar and remove from heat.
• Make pesto while peppers cook:
• Pulse all pesto ingredients except oil in a food processor until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream and blend until combined well.
• Assemble crostini:
• Put about 1 tablespoon pepper mixture on each toast and top with about 1/4 teaspoon pesto.

CHEESY CROSTINI

Steps:

• Stir together swiss cheese and next 3 ingredients.
• Spread 1 side of each bread slice with cheese mixture; sprinkle with diced bell peppers.
• Place bread slices on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
• Top with olive slices, if desired.
• Serve immediately.