Giadas Gorgonzola Crostini Recipes

HONEY RICOTTA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a slight bias, slice the baguette into 1/4-inch slices. Brush the slices with the 1/4 cup olive oil, then place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until golden brown and crunchy, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Once the crostini are cool, top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of ricotta mixture, a drizzle of honey, and a pinch of coarse salt and a sprinkling of crushed pink peppercorns. Serve at room temperature.

GIADA'S CROSTINI ALLA ROMANA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the slices of ciabatta on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Bake until crisp and golden around the edges, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the bread from the oven.
• Place the prosciutto slices and mozzarella on the crostini toast and return to the oven to melt the cheese, about 8 more minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
• Transfer the crostini to a serving plate.
• Sprinkle fresh basil over and serve immediatley.

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.

CROSTINI WITH FIGS, GORGONZOLA, HONEY AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Using a pastry brush, lightly baste the baguette slices with the olive oil. Place slices in oven, and bake till baguette slices are a golden color, about 8 minutes. (You can also toast the slices a day ahead. Cool, then store them at room temperature in a covered container.)
• Toss the gorgonzola, along with the toasted walnuts (that have cooled to room temperature) in a small bowl. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the prepared baguette slices and press slightly to adhere.Return baguette slices to baking sheet. Bake in oven until the cheese melts (about 6-8 minutes).
• Arrange the warm crostini on a platter. Top each slice with a thin slice of fig. Drizzle with the honey and serve warm. Enjoy!

GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a large bowl use a fork to crumble the cheese; add butter. Allow to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Mash together cheese and butter with the fork until well combined. Stir in brandy and apricots. Cover and chill cheese mixture up to 24 hours. Allow mixture to stand at room temperature 30 minutes before spreading.
• Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Spread each bread slice with about 1/2 tablespoon cheese mixture. Place bread slices on baking sheets. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Arrange on serving platters; top with sliced almonds. Makes 100 appetizers.

GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI - GIADA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Brush them with olive oil.
• Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Blend the goat cheese and cream cheese in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
• Add the parsley, thyme, and lemon peel.
• Using the on/off button, pulse just to blend.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (I use kosher salt & fresh-ground pepper).
• Spread the cheese mixture over the crostini.
• Sprinkle with the olives, chives, and more pepper. Arrange the toasts on a platter and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The crostini and cheese mixture can each be prepared 2 days ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese mixture. Let the cheese mixture stand at room temperature for 1 hour to soften slightly before spreading over the crostini.

PEAR & GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Halve and core the pears, then cut each one into 12 small wedges. Place in a heavy-based saucepan with the honey, port and wine. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the pears are just tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife (they shouldn't be soft).
• Carefully tip the pears into a sieve set over a small saucepan and allow them to drain thoroughly.
• Reduce the liquid in the saucepan by two-thirds - it should have a syrupy consistency like runny honey. This will take 10-12 minutes. Pour the syrup into a small bowl and allow to cool while you prepare the bruschettas.
• Preheat the grill to hot. Cut the bread into 24 slices and brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Grill until the bruschettas are golden on both sides. This only takes a minute, so keep watch.
• Spread each bruschetta with a little gorgonzola and top with a poached pear wedge. Arrange the bruschettas on a serving plate and drizzle with the port syrup using a teaspoon. Sprinkle over a little mustard and cress.
• Prepare ahead: you can poach the pears the day before and serve them cold - they're just as nice. Take them out of the syrup and reduce, then store the pears and syrup in separate plastic containers in the fridge. If the syrup is too thick the next day, add a little warm water, and if it is too thin, you can reduce it by simmering for a minute or two.

BRUSCHETTA WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE AND HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Arrange the sliced baguette on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Arrange the cheese on the toasts and bake until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
• Drizzle the toasts with honey. Place on a serving platter and serve immediately.

CROSTINI WITH GORGONZOLA AND FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Arrange baguette slices on baking sheet. Broil until lightly toasted on 1 side.
• Mash crumbled Gorgonzola and 1 tablespoon butter in small bowl until smooth. Spread Gorgonzola mixture evenly over untoasted side of baguette slices. Top with figs. Drizzle oil over figs. Broil until Gorgonzola mixture bubbles around edges, about 3 minutes. Transfer crostini to platter and serve.

CROSTINI WITH GORGONZOLA, HONEY AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly brush the baguette slices with oil. Toast in the oven until the baguette slices are golden, about 8 minutes. (You can toast the baguette slices 1 day ahead. Cool, then store them at room temperature in an airtight container.) Toss the gorgonzola with walnuts in a small bowl. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the baguette slices and press slightly to adhere. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the cheese melts, about 8 minutes. Arrange the crostini on a platter. Top each with a slice of fig, if desired. Drizzle with honey and serve warm.