Pesto Puttanesca Crostini Appetizer Recipes

CROSTINI WITH TUNA TAPENADE

Steps:

• Drain all but a tablespoon of olive oil from the tuna and then flake the fish into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the anchovy paste, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, and garlic and pulse a few times. Add the lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and the mascarpone and process until almost smooth. Add the olives, capers, salt, and pepper and pulse just to incorporate. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, heat a gas or charcoal grill or preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brush the bread lightly on one side with olive oil. Grill the crostini on both sides until lightly browned or arrange the bread on a sheet pan and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• Mound the tapenade on each toast, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

PUTTANESCA I

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat oil in a skillet over low heat; cook garlic in oil until golden. Add sieved tomatoes, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in anchovies, tomato paste, capers, olives, and red pepper flakes. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Toss pasta with sauce, and serve.

CHUNKY PUTTANESCA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Arrange the bread on baking sheets in a single layer. Toast in the oven until evenly golden, 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet with tight fitting lid over medium to medium-high heat. Add the anchovies and stir to melt into the oil. When they are broken up and melted, stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, capers and olives and cover the pan. Cook 7 to 8 minutes more to burst the tomatoes, then uncover. Mash any stray tomatoes with a potato masher or wooden spoon and fold in the parsley. Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and serve with the toasts.

PESTO PUTTANESCA CROSTINI APPETIZER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 10 min. or until both sides are golden brown, turning after 5 min. Cool 5 min.
• Rub with garlic; spread with cream cheese spread.
• Top with Pesto Puttanesca and feta.

PASTA PUTTANESCA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Dredge chicken cubes in flour seasoned with salt and pepper, and brown in the hot oil. Once the chicken is browned on all sides, squeeze the juice from one lemon over the cubes. Stir in the capers, olives and anchovy paste, and cook for at least 5 minutes to mingle the flavors, and cook the chicken.
• When chicken is no longer pink, add the diced tomatoes, juice from the remaining lemon, salt, and pepper. Add pasta and cheese to the pan, and cook, stirring just until heated through.

CROSTINI WITH BURRATA CHEESE, PINK PEPPER, AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place bread on baking sheet. Brush with oil; rub with garlic. Broil until golden, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer toasts to platter. Top with arugula and cheese. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with pepper and fleur de sel.
• *A type of sea salt; available at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores.

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.