Crostini Alla Caprese Recipe Appetizer

CAPRESE CROSTINI (CANAPES)

Steps:

• Slice bread and brush both sides lightly with extra virgin olive oil. Bake 5 minutes at 350˚F to lightly toast it (toasting the bread keeps the bread from getting moist from the cheese).
• Top with a slice of mozzarella and a slice of tomato. Sprinkle the tops with salt and pepper and bake at 350˚F for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• A few minutes before the crostini are finished baking, in a small ramekin, mix together 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil until well combined. Toss in the sliced fresh basil and stir gently. Top each crostini with the marinated basil.

MOZZARELLA CAPRESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Begin by diagonally slicing the baguette. Then, lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the baking sheet on the top rack of your oven and broil the bread 4-5 minutes until it is golden brown. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, gently toss together the cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and a bit of salt and pepper.
• To finish, layer the ingredients on the toast. Begin with mozzarella, then add tomatoes, and finally, drizzle with balsamic glaze.

CROSTINI ALLA CAPRESE

Steps:

• Cut bread into 1/2 inch rounds and place, in a single layer, on a baking sheet.
• In a small skillet, heat oil, over medium low heat; add garlic and saute 5 minutes to infuse the oil with garlic flavor.
• Very lightly brush bread with the garlic flavored oil.
• Toast lightly under the broiler.
• Top each crostini with a tomato slice, fresh basil leaf, and half a mozzarella ball.
• Lightly drizzle all with vinegar and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
• ALTERNATIVELY: You can skewer the ingredients on small 4-inch skewers, then drizzle with vinegar and red pepper flakes, if desired.

BAKED CAPRESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Arrange the sliced baguette bread on a baking sheet. Brush with some of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Top each slice of bread with a slice of tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each slice of tomato with a slice of mozzarella and sprinkle with salt. Return the baking sheet to the oven until the cheese and tomato are warmed, about 5 minutes.
• Arrange the toasts on a serving platter. Top each toast with a basil leaf. Using the brush, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.