Gorgonzola Grape And Pine Nut Crostini Food

GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet. Toast in oven until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle Gorgonzola on baguette slices. Sprinkle nuts over each. Drizzle each slice lightly with honey.

PINE NUT AND DATE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Chop the dates and transfer them to a small skillet. Chop the toasted pine nuts and add them to the skillet along with the wine and honey. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat until the liquid is syrupy, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the baguette slices on the rimmed baking sheet and a drizzle each slice with olive oil. Bake until toasted, 6 to 8 minutes (watch closely, as ovens vary).
• Top each toast with 1 tablespoon of the date mixture. Arrange the crostini on a platter and serve.

GORGONZOLA AND GRAPE SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing: Place red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and garlic cloves in a blender and pulse on high speed. Add the shallots and slowly incorporate the extra-virgin olive oil while blender is on high speed. Finish seasoning with black pepper and allow the dressing to sit for 24 hours, refrigerated, before using.
• For the candied garlic: Coat a sheet pan with oil for the finished garlic. Place the garlic and water in a large saute pan over medium to high heat. Boil the cloves until they are cooked through but still firm to the touch and still maintain their shape. This takes about 8 minutes. By this time the water should be all the way or close to being evaporated. At this point, add the sugar in with the garlic cloves and continue to cook over medium heat while stirring occasionally. After a couple of minutes the sugar will begin to caramelize. At this point it is important that the garlic be stirred constantly so they become evenly coated with the caramelized sugar. Continue to caramelize the garlic until golden to dark golden brown. This process happens very quickly so stay alert. Turn the garlic out onto the greased sheet pan and cool.
• For the salad: Place the grapes, Gorgonzola and candied garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of dressing. You want enough dressing in the bowl to fully saturate the cheese and grape mixture. Add the lettuce and toss your salad. Taste for seasoning.