Cheddar Crostini Recipes

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.

HONEYCRISP APPLE, CHEDDAR, BACON AND DANDELION CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add about 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large saute pan. Lay the bacon strips in the pan and bring the pan to a medium heat. Cook the bacon until browned and crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels. DO NOT ditch the bacon fat. Reserve it for finishing the crostini.
• Toast the bread slices lightly on both sides in the oven. Remove the toast from the oven and arrange a thin layer of the sliced apples on each toast. Top the apples with the cheese and return the toasts to the oven. Bake the crostini until the cheese starts to melt and get bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Place 2 bacon strips on each crostino and return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes.
• While the crostini are doing their final toast, ditch about half the bacon fat. Heat the remaining bacon fat in the pan and whisk in the vinegar. Turn the heat off and toss in the dandelion greens, season with salt and stir to coat the greens with the vinaigrette.
• Remove the crostini from the oven, cut the bread in half and then top with the wilted dandelion greens.

CROSTINI

Steps:

• Set the oven to broil at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil, butter and garlic. Set over medium heat, and cook until butter has melted and the mixture starts to bubble. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Dip each slice of bread into the garlic mixture, turning to coat each side. Place Parmesan cheese on a plate. Press one side of each piece of bread into the cheese, and place cheese side up on a baking sheet.
• Broil on the middle rack of the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

ALMOND-BACON CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Place bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400° until lightly browned, 8-9 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cheese, mayonnaise, almonds, bacon, onion and salt. Spread over bread. Bake until cheese is melted, 7-8 minutes. Sprinkle with additional almonds if desired. Serve warm.

APPLE BACON CHEDDAR CROSTINI

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve drippings in skillet.
• Cook apples and gingerroot in bacon drippings over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and tender. Stir in brown sugar, thyme and salt. Cook 1 minute; stir in apple juice. Cook 1 minute; remove from heat. Cool completely.
• Heat oven to 450°F. Place baguette slices in single layer on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until toasted. Turn slices over; brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until toasted.
• In skillet, add cheese and bacon to apples; toss. Place about 1 tablespoon apple mixture on each baguette slice. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with thyme sprigs. Serve immediately.

CHEDDAR CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake the slices of bread until lightly browned (about 10 minutes). The slices may be toasted under a broiler or over a grill instead.
• Preheat broiler. Spread the slices with mustard, topped with slices of cheddar cheese and sprinkle with cayenne. Brown under the broiler and arrange on a serving platter.

GARLIC AND CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Arrange bread slices in 1 layer on a large baking sheet and brush tops with 3 tablespoons oil.
• Stir together remaining tablespoon oil, cheese, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle each slice with about 1 teaspoon cheese mixture, mounding it slightly.
• Bake until topping just starts to melt, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and kosher salt to taste. Serve warm.

CHEDDAR CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a frying pan saute onion in oil until tender.
• Add the tomatoes and stir over low heat 5 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• Stir in the vinegar,yolk and cheese.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread the mixture onto the toast slices.
• In a toaster oven broil until cheese is bubbly.