Olive Bread Crostini With Red Pepper Spread Recipes

ROASTED GARLIC CROSTINI WITH ASSORTED TOPPINGS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Put the garlic in a roasting pan and drizzle on the olive oil. Toss to coat thoroughly. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the garlic bulbs are very tender but not overly brown. Test by carefully giving a bulb a gentle squeeze while protecting your hand with a folded kitchen towel or an oven glove. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• 2. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each head of garlic crosswise in half, midway between its leaf and root ends, to expose all the cloves inside. Their pulp will be golden brown and as soft as butter. You can squeeze it out of each half by hand or scoop it out with a small spoon or knife. Transfer the roasted garlic to a small bowl, pour in any olive oil from the baking dish, and stir and mash with a fork to form a smooth purée. You'll have 1/3 to 1/2 cup of purée, depending on the size of the garlic heads.
• 3. To make the Roasted Garlic Crostini, preheat the oven to 375° F. Brush the bread slices with the olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake them until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and let them cool to room temperature. Spread the puréed roasted garlic evenly on the tops of the crostini. Top the crostini with any of the options listed above, or make an assortment. Spread some with 1 tablespoon each of goat cheese; then decorate the cheese with strips of roasted bell pepper or a mixture of sun-dried tomato strips and capers, or a smear of tapenade. In place of the goat cheese, top others with diced tomato tossed with some fresh basil, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar; with prosciutto and Parmesan cheese; with anchovy fillets and freshly ground black pepper; or with slices of Roma tomato and fresh mozzarella, topped with fresh basil leaves.

CHILLED SMOKED RED PEPPER SOUP WITH ANCHOVY CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy-based saucepan. Fry the red pepper, onion and garlic in the pan for 10-15 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.
• Add the tinned tomatoes, smoked paprika, sugar and stock. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Blend the soup with a hand blender or in a jug blender until smooth. Cool, cover and chill.
• Meanwhile, make the anchovy butter for the crostini. In a pestle and mortar pound the anchovy fillets into a paste. Mix in the butter and lemon juice, blending thoroughly. Season with freshly ground pepper and mix in the parsley. Cover and chill until use.
• Just before serving prepare the crostini. Drizzle each slice of sourdough bread with half a tablespoon of olive oil.
• Grill the bread until lightly toasted. Spread each slice generously with the anchovy butter.
• Ladle the soup into 4 serving bowls. Top with a dollop of creme fraiche and a few basil leaves. Serve with the anchovy crostini on the side.

CROSTINI WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER AND FETA

Steps:

• To roast the garlic and red bell peppers, first arrange the garlic cloves on a piece of foil, drizzle with some olive oil and fold foil to seal. Next place the whole bell peppers on the baking sheet. Drizzle about 1/2 tablespoon olive oil onto the peppers, turning to coat. Roast for about 15-20 at 425°F Watch carefully!
• Once the garlic and roasted bell peppers are done, set aside to cool. In a food processor, squeeze the garlic out of their skin. Next peel the bell peppers, remove seeds and stem, chop coarsely and add to processor. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, beans, vinegar, salt, pepper and half of feta. Pulse about 5 or 6 times or until combined.
• Cut bread into 24 slices (1/4") on the diagonal. Arrange the bread slices on the baking sheet, and brush with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Spread the bell pepper-bean mixture on one side of each slice of bread. Lastly, sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
• Garnish with Italian parsley and serve.

OLIVE BREAD CROSTINI WITH RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Mash garlic and salt into a paste using a mortar and pestle; transfer to a food processor. Add roasted red peppers and 1 tablespoon oil; pulse just until a coarse puree forms. Transfer red pepper spread to a bowl and stir in basil, vinegar, sugar, and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Brush both sides of bread slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Arrange bread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake bread slices in the preheated oven, turning once, until golden, about 25 minutes. Cool crostini on a rack.
• Top each crostini with 3/4 tablespoon red pepper spread just before serving.

OLIVE BREAD CROSTINI WITH RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Mash garlic and salt into a paste using a mortar and pestle; transfer to a food processor. Add roasted red peppers and 1 tablespoon oil; pulse just until a coarse puree forms. Transfer red pepper spread to a bowl and stir in basil, vinegar, sugar, and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Brush both sides of bread slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Arrange bread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake bread slices in the preheated oven, turning once, until golden, about 25 minutes. Cool crostini on a rack.
• Top each crostini with 3/4 tablespoon red pepper spread just before serving.