Karens Tomato Crostini Food

KAREN'S TOMATO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except for the baguette slices, until well blended. Spread cheese mixture evenly on one side of each baguette slice.
• Place slices, cheese side up, on a grill topper (a nonstick flat grate that has many holes). Grill, with lid down, over low heat on barbeque for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bread is is lightly toasted and cheese is melted.
• These can also be baked in the oven at 350F or broiled, until lightly browned.

TOMATO CROSTINI WITH WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• For the whipped feta, place the feta and cream cheese in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until the cheeses are mixed. Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil, the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and process until smooth.
• For the tomatoes, up to an hour before you're serving, combine the shallots, garlic, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the tomatoes, stir gently, and set aside for 10 minutes. Stir in the basil and taste for seasonings.
• To assemble the crostini, spread each slice of bread with a generous amount of whipped feta. With a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes on top. Put the crostini on plates and scatter with the pine nuts. Sprinkle with extra basil and serve.

CROSTINI WITH THYME-ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Place the tomatoes cut-side up in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and the thyme. Roast 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the tomatoes are very soft and slightly shrunken.
• Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Rub the crostini with garlic and top each with a roasted tomato.

KALAMATA AND TOMATO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Place baguette slices, evenly, on baking sheet. Place under broiler or bake in 350 degree oven, until lightly browned (about 4-5 minutes) turn and broil or bake for another 4-5 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove and set aside until cool enough to handle. Take clove of garlic and rub each slice of bread on one side. Set aside on serving platter.
• Combine the next 4 ingredients and set aside.
• Spread each baguette slice with Kalamata olive mixture, thin slices of Parmesan cheese, slice of tomato, sprinkle of green onion, and top with a drizzle of olive oil. 6 servings.

SHRIMP AND TOMATO CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, 2 minced garlic cloves, green onion and pepper. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining 3 cloves garlic and parsley. Add shrimp. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until done.
• Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over French bread slices. Top each slice with 1 shrimp, 1 cherry tomato half and one parsley leaf.