Recipe of the Week 30-1-2011

Crostini Part 2


Crostini are the typical Tuscan starter. Roasted unsalted bread slices are covered with different sauces. You probably know the “Bruschetta,” the bread slice with the diced tomatoes, olive oil, salt and, if you want garlic. Try other recipes… Serve always 3 different pieces per person, because it should be a starter. If you want, and I like that many times, serve more pieces and make a dinner or lunch out of them…

Crostinis with Mushrooms
 INGREDIENTS 
 ½ cup olive oil

• 1 chopped clove of garlic

• 1 Tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

• 2-3 cups of finely chopped fresh mushrooms

• Black pepper or 1 chili pepper

• loaf of Italian bread, cut into diagonal slices and toasted


1. fry garlic, parsley and chili pepper slowly in Olive oil. When they are done after appr. 10 minutes,

2. add mushrooms and slowly simmer till all liquid is evaporated.

3. Add salt to taste

4. spread on toasted bread slices and serve them hot


You can also make more of this and preserve it for a later date. Put the rest of the mushrooms in a glass and cover it with olive oil. If you keep it in the fridge, it will keep one week. You can use it for other crostini, but also as a quick sauce for a nice pasta.

Crostini with Radicchio and Goat cheese

Ingredients


• 1 Head Radicchio Treviso Lettuce (the long one)

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• 5 Tablespoons Olive Oil

• 1/2 Cup Balsamic Cream (the thick Balsamico, that runs like a cream)

• 1 French bread, Sliced 1/2 Inch Thick

• 1 (6 Ounce) fresh Log Goat Cheese At Room Temperature (or gorgonzola, mozzarella or a slice of pecorino)


1. Trim the radicchio and slice thinly.

2. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and cook the garlic until golden brown over medium heat until softened, about 8 minutes.

3. Add balsamico cream, reduce the heat to a simmer, and continue to cook until all liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool till it is lukewarm

4. Slice the bread, put it in the oven or toaster until golden brown (bread should be dry inside!)

5. Spread the goat cheese on the bread (or the gorgonzola or the mozzarella)

6. Put a spoon full of lukewarm radicchio on to the cheese


Crostini with Mozzarella and Anchovies

Ingredients

• 1 Mozzarella di buffalo

• A few spoons of very good extra vergin olive oil

• 1 tomatoe finely sliced

• Fresh basil leaves (or a few sprinkle of oregano)

• Anchovies (the ones in the glass)

• French bread or real Tuscan unsalted bread


1. Slice Mozarella into this slices

2. Slice the tomatoe in thin slices

3. Toast bread slices in oven or toaster (bread should be dry)

4. Put a few drops of olive oil on each slice of bread, then one slice of tomatoe, a little salt, one basil leaf, one slice of mozzarella and on top one Anchovies.

5. Use toothpicks to keep everything in place

Buon Appetito!