Spinach Tapenade Crostini Food

SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use 2 tablespoons of the oil to brush both sides of the bread slices. Arrange on a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until golden, flipping halfway through, about 7 minutes. While the toasts are hot, rub both sides with the whole garlic clove and return the bread to the baking sheet.
• Toast the pine nuts in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive, minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook, over medium heat and stirring frequently, until the garlic is soft, about 1 minute. Add the spinach, in batches, sprinkling with salt after each new addition, until wilted and tender. Transfer to the bowl with the pine nuts, add the lemon zest and toss well. Drain the mixture in a colander and then roughly chop it.
• Divide the spinach mixture among the toasts and top each with some crumbled goat cheese. Bake just until cheese starts to melt, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with more red pepper flakes if using and serve warm.
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SPINACH AND PARMESAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. In medium bowl, stir together spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, garlic and pepper.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons cheese mixture on each bread slice. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated and nuts are toasted. Serve warm.

TAPENADE AND ASIAGO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Slice the baguette into 1/3-inch rounds. Lightly toast in the oven, about 10 minutes. Cool and rub with cut end of garlic clove.
• Brush with olive oil. Lightly toast again until oil sizzles. Spread cheese on crostini and heat in oven until cheese bubbles. Remove from oven. Spread with tapenade and sprinkle with a few thyme leaves.
• Serve immediately

SPINACH TAPENADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain and squeeze out excess moisture.
• Place olives, garlic, anchovies, and capers in food processor. Process until finely chopped. Add spinach, lemon juice and olive oil and process until mixture is smooth. Remove from processor and stir in basil and peppers.
• Serve tapenade with toasted bread.
• MAKE AHEAD: Tapenade can be prepared, cover and refrigerated up to one day ahead, Bring to room temperature before serving.
• TIPS: Good quality pitted olives are available in many supermarkets and specialty food shops. If unavailable, select good flavored olives and pit. To pit, tap firmly with a small saucepan or meat pounder to open the flesh, and then remove the pit.

GREEN AND GOLD TAPENADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• 1. Put the raisins, fennel seeds, and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
• 2. Pulse the garlic, olives, lemon juice, and olive oil until coarsely chopped. Add the raisin mixture and pulse 4 or 5 times. Spoon onto the crostini and season with a few cracks of freshly ground pepper.
• 3. Spoon tapenade onto toasts, arrange on a platter. Serve.

TAPENADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Add the red peppers, kalamata and pimento-stuffed olives, garlic, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times, adding enough olive oil to loosen the mixture to a loose paste. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more garlic or red pepper flakes if desired.
• Spread the crostini with a bit of pesto and spoon on a big dollop of the tapenade. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

TAPENADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Add the red peppers, kalamata and pimento-stuffed olives, garlic, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times, adding enough olive oil to loosen the mixture to a loose paste. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more garlic or red pepper flakes if desired.
• Spread the crostini with a bit of pesto and spoon on a big dollop of the tapenade. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven broiler.
• Slice bread on a diagonal about 1/3" thick and place on a large cookie sheet.
• In a medium bowl, combine artichoke hearts, cheese, onion, spinach, tomato, and mayonnaise.
• Spread the artichoke mixture evenly on the baguette slices.
• Sprinkle on garlic, pepper, and salt if desired.
• Place in oven and broil for about 2 minutes, or until artichoke mixture is melted and lightly browned.

CROSTINI WITH SUN-DRIED-TOMATO TAPENADE

Steps:

• Using on/off turns, finely chop olives and tomatoes in processor. Add 2/3 cup oil, capers, and oregano; blend to coarse puree. Transfer to bowl. (Tapenade can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place bread slices on baking sheet. Brush lightly with additional oil. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Spread tomato tapenade on toasts and serve.

SPINACH-FETA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Mix together all of the ingredients except the bread.
• (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate until needed.) Spread mixture on each slice of bread, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes or until golden.

ARTICHOKE-PARMESAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crostini: Brush baguette slices on both sides with a total of 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, and bake, turning over once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool.
• Meanwhile, make topping: Finely chop artichokes, and combine in a bowl with Parmesan, parsley, and remaining tablespoon oil.
• Dividing evenly, spoon topping onto crostini, and garnish with additional Parmesan, if desired.

BLUE CHEESE & PEAR CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Place bacon strips on foil lined baking sheet and sprinkle rosemary on top. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes, until almost done, but not too crisp. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Preheat small skillet to medium heat and melt olive oil and butter together. Place shallot slices in skillet and stir well to coat evenly. Add brown sugar and melt together, continually stirring. Reduce heat to medium low and slowly cook for about 10 - 15 minutes until shallots are soft and caramelized in color. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat a grill pan to medium heat. Place pears on pan and quickly grill for about 2 - 3 minutes until char lines are visible. Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to broil. Line second baking sheet with bread slices. Top with large chunks of the blue cheese. Crumbles don't hold together well, so I do recommend a wedge of cheese that you pinch and crumble yourself. Top with bacon slices, caramelized onions and pears. Toast in oven until cheese melts, approximately 3 - 5 minutes.
• This is great when serve with warm toasted nuts and red wine.