Tag Archives: crostini

ROASTED GRAPE CROSTINI

19 Thursday Nov 2015

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This fun and tasty appetizer is perfect to serve to family while you are waiting for the Thanksgiving Turkey to cook, or to share with friends at a Tailgate.

ROASTED GRAPE CROSTINI

roasted grape crostini

3 cups grapes, halved lengthwise

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon orange peel

24 slices french baguette

1/2 cup shaved Manchego cheese

thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Heat oven to 400F. In a bowl, toss grapes with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Transfer to a greased cookie sheet. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes or until softened and lightly browned. Transfer to a small bowl, stir in orange peel.

Change oven setting to broil. Place baguette slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until light brown. To serve, spoon warm grape mixture over toasts, top with cheese and basil (I spread a little ricotta on top of the toasts then layered on the grapes, cheese and basil).

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home, November 2014

www.tasteofhome.com/

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GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI WITH BLOOD ORANGE AND BLACK PEPPER MARMALADE and ROASTED CARROT AND BEET SALAD WITH ORANGES AND ARUGULA and BLOOD ORANGE PANNA COTTA

28 Saturday Mar 2015

Posted by in Appetizers, Dessert, Recipes, Salad

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As well as cocktail recipes using the beautiful blood oranges I had diligently discovered (https://recipedoodle.com/2015/03/27/blood-orange-negroni-and-cava-sangria-and-blood-orange-ginger-margarita-and-sicilian-75-and-blood-orange-champagne-cocktail-and-blood-orange-french-75/), I had gorgeous recipes for appetizers, salads and desserts I wanted to test and experiment with.

GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI WITH BLOOD ORANGE AND BLACK PEPPER MARMALADE

goat cheese crostini with blood orange black pepper marmalade

8 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

4 blood oranges, divided

1/4 cup honey

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

fresh lemon juice

18 1/2-inch thick slices French baguette, toasted

Place goat cheese in a small bowl. Finely grate 1 teaspoon peel from 1 blood orange, stir peel into cheese.

Using vegetable peeler, remove peel in strips from remaining 3 oranges, finely chop and place in medium saucepan. Using small sharp knife, cut white pith from all 4 oranges. Working over another small bowl to catch juices, cut between orange membranes to release segments. Squeeze any remaining juice from membranes into bowl. Discard membranes. Coarsely chop orange segments and add to saucepan along with any juices from bowl to saucepan. Stir in honey and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered until thick and reduced to 1/2 cup, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Cool. Season with more ground black pepper to taste and with fresh lemon juice.

Top toasted baguette slices with goat cheese, then marmalade. Place crostini on platter and serve.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, December 2007

www.bonappetit.com/

ROASTED CARROT AND BEET SALAD WITH ORANGES AND ARUGULA

roasted carrot and beet salad with blood oranges

3/4 cup walnut halves

8 carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal 1/2 inch thick

3 beets, scrubbed

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil

1 rosemary sprig

2 thyme sprigs

2 garlic cloves

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

3 blood oranges

baby arugula

1 tablespoon snipped chives

2 teaspoons thyme leaves

Heat oven to 400F. Spread the walnuts in a pie pan and toast until fragrant, about 8 minutes.

Place the carrots and beets in separate pie pans. Season the carrots with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Season the beets with salt and pepper, drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and add the rosemary, thyme and garlic cloves. Cover both pans tightly with foil and roast the vegetables until tender, about 30 minutes for the carrots and 1 1/2 hours for the beets. Let cool. Discard the herbs and garlic.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar with the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil. Stir in the orange zest, season with salt and pepper.

Using a sharp knife, peel the oranges, making sure to remove all of the bitter white pith. Slice the oranges crosswise.

Peel the beets and thinly slice them crosswise. Scatter the beets, oranges and carrots on a large platter. Drizzle 1/3 cup of the vinaigrette over the beets, oranges and carrots.

In a large bowl, toss the arugula with the remaining vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the arugula, toasted walnuts, chives and thyme around the platter and serve.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, September 2007

www.foodandwine.com/

BLOOD ORANGE PANNA COTTA

blood orange panna cotta - single1 envelope gelatin

1/2 cup milk

1 cup blood orange juice

1 cup cream

1/2 cup sugar

In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over milk, and let stand for 5 minutes to soften.

In a medium saucepan, combine juice, cream and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar dissolves. Whisk in gelatin mixture, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Divide mixture among 6 serving glasses. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to overnight.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking with Paula Deen, January/February 2012

www.pauladeenmagazine.com/ 

PRICKLY PEAR and ENDIVE WITH PEARS, BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS and RICOTTA, THYME, HONEY AND FRESH PEAR TOPPING and PEAR AND ARUGULA SALAD and PEAR SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK CURRY DRESSING and PEAR SALAD WITH WATERCRESS AND GOAT CHEESE and FIG BALSAMIC GLAZED DUCK WITH PEARL ONION AND PEAR HASH and APPLE PEAR TARTS WITH CHEDDAR ROSEMARY STREUSEL

09 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Appetizers, Cocktails, Dessert, Entrées, Recipes, Salad

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Right before Christmas, my husband bought a large box of pears from Harry and David, having discovered a great discount through Living Social. My Sister-In-Law around about the same time, sent us a lovely package which was also from Harry and David, and which also included their famous, flavorful, juicy, incredibly delicious pears.

As well as enjoying the sweet and succulent fruit unadorned straight from the box, I also transformed the luscious produce into several dishes to take to friends parties, as an appetizer for a dinner party, a cocktail to start the evening, a sweet ending after a meal and as an accompaniment with dinner.

PRICKLY PEAR

prickly pear

1 pear, peeled and chopped

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 lime, juiced

3 ounces of bourbon

ice cubes

6 ounces ginger ale, if desired (I forgot to add this)

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pear, honey and lime juice. Add the bourbon, fill with ice and shake. Strain into 2 glasses. Top with ginger ale (if desired and remembered) and add ice.

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine, October 2013

www.rachaelraymag.com/

ENDIVE WITH PEARS, BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS

endive with pears blue cheese and walnuts

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 cups finely chopped pear

1 tablespoon honey

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 ounces Gorgonzola cheese crumbled

16 Belgian endive leaves

1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan, swirl to coat. Add pear, cook 2 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in honey. Cool 3 minutes, stir in cheese, season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spoon about 2 teaspoons of pear mixture into each leaf. Sprinkle with walnuts.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, December 2014

www.cookinglight.com/

RICOTTA, THYME, HONEY AND FRESH PEAR TOPPING

ricotta and pear crostini with thyme honey

crostini

16 ounces ricotta

2 or 3 ripe pears

10 stems fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped

1/4 cup honey

olive oil

Core, peel and cut pears into chunks. Spread about 1 tablespoon of ricotta on each crostini. Top with a cube of pear and sprinkle of thyme. Drizzle with honey and olive oil.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Glamour Magazine

www.glamour.com/about/food-recipes

PEAR AND ARUGULA SALAD

pear and arugula salad

Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard and a spoonful of honey, season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper, stir with a whisk. Combine salad greens, chopped pear and chopped toasted walnuts in a large bowl. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad mixture, toss to coat. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, November 2013

www.cookinglight.com/

PEAR SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK CURRY DRESSING

pear salad with buttermilk curry dressing

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 1/2 tablespoons buttermilk

1/4 teaspoon curry powder

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup dried apricots

1/4 cup chopped shallots

1/4 cup sliced celery

1 pear, cubed

1/4 cup chopped, toasted walnuts

3 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

2 heads of endive, leaves separated

In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, buttermilk, curry powder, onion powder and salt. Toss in 1/4 cup apricots, shallots, celery, pear, walnuts and 2 teaspoons of tarragon. Stuff salad into endive leaves and top with remaining apricots and tarragon.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine, October 2011

www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/

PEAR SALAD WITH WATERCRESS AND GOAT CHEESE

pear watercress goat cheese salad

1 bag watercress

3 pears, cored and thinly sliced

1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped

1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled

2 tablespoons pear infused vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

salt and pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

Arrange watercress on a serving platter. Top with sliced pears, pecans then crumbled goat cheese. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and mustard, season to taste with salt and pepper. In a slow steady stream, add the olive oil, whisking constantly until dressing is emulsified. Pour dressing over salad and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

FIG BALSAMIC GLAZED DUCK WITH PEARL ONION AND PEAR HASH

fig balsamic glazed duck

4 duck breasts

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pears, halved, cored, cut into slices

1 10-ounce bag pearl onions, blanched, peeled, halved

4 potatoes, boiled until just tender, peeled, cut into pieces

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup fig balsamic vinegar

Using small sharp knife, score duck skin in 1-inch-wide grid pattern. Season duck generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add duck, cook about 6 minutes per side for medium. Transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil. Discard all but 1/4 cup drippings from skillet. Heat drippings in skillet over high heat. Add pears, onions and potatoes, sauté until beginning to brown, 5 minutes. Stir in sage, season with salt and pepper. Transfer hash to bowl, cover to keep warm. Heat same skillet over high heat. Add broth and vinegar, bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits. Boil until reduced to glaze, about 5 minutes. Season glaze with salt and pepper.

Divide hash among plates. Cut duck into 1/2 inch slices, fan over hash. Drizzle glaze over and serve.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, January 2005

www.bonappetit.com/

APPLE PEAR TARTS WTIH CHEDDAR ROSEMARY STREUSEL 

apple pear tart

1 pear

1 apple

juice of half a lemon

3/4 cup flour plus 1 tablespoon

1/2 cup brown sugar plus 1 tablespoon

3/4 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary

4 ounces butter, chilled and cut into small pieces.

1/2 package of refrigerated pie crust

Heat oven to 375F. Quarter, core and dice the apple and pear. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice, mix. Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour, toss to coat. Mix in vanilla essence.
In another bowl, combine the remaining flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cheese and rosemary. Add butter and mix.
Unroll pie crust, using a 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out 20 circles, re-rolling dough as necessary. Place dough circles over holes of a 20 cup mini-muffin pan, and press down gently. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling into each cup, top with a scant 2 teaspoons of topping, flattened slightly.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until filling is bubbling and topping is lightly browned.
Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan.
Enjoy!

 

PARMESAN TOASTS WITH PROSCIUTTO AND FIG JAM – FAYETTEVILLE PILATES AND BARRE

25 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by in Appetizers, Entertaining, Recipes

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I made these to enjoy with friends at a recent gathering- delicious!

PARMESAN TOASTS WITH PROSCIUTTO AND FIG JAM

parmesan prosciutto toasts

12 1/4 inch-thick baguette slices

olive oil

1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

6 slices of prosciutto, each slice cut crosswise into 3 or 4 pieces

2 tablespoons fig jam

Heat oven o 400F. Place baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide parmesan and prosciutto equally among slices. Bake until lightly toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle with additional olive oil. Top each slice with a dollop of fig jam. Sprinkle with pepper.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, January 2010

Ricotta and Radish Crostini

21 Monday Apr 2014

Posted by in Appetizers, Holidays, Recipes, Spring

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Easter has made its appearance, and Spring is in the air, with all its possibilities of new growth and fresh produce.
Although this Ricotta and Radish Crostini could be made with any type of radish, I thought the watermelon radishes looked especially lovely and seasonal.

RICOTTA AND RADISH CROSTINI

18 1/4-inch-thick baguette slices
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon of salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 pinch of pepper
24 thin slices of radish
grated lemon peel, for serving

Drizzle baguette slices with a little olive oil, and toast in a 350F oven.
Stir together the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Spread the ricotta mixture onto each toast and top with slices of radish, a sprinkle of salt and grated lemon peel.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray
www.rachaelraymag.com › Recipes‎

PARMESAN BLUE CHEESE TOASTS WITH GREEN ONIONS and PIMENTO CHEESE AND BACON CROSTINI and PEPPER GLAZED GOAT CHEESE GRATIN

29 Saturday Mar 2014

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We have friends who built a pizza oven in their back yard – and host the most fun and fabulous pizza baking evenings.
You can never go wrong with a bread base and toppings, including some kind of cheese. So even though these crust and cheese combinations don’t come close to the masterpieces turned out during the parties, they are tasty bites all the same.

PARMESAN BLUE CHEESE TOASTS WITH GREEN ONIONS

1 cup mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
baguette slices
olive oil
3/4 cup sliced green onions

Combine mayonnaise, garlic, ground pepper and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. Mix in cheeses, season with salt.
Heat oven to 400F. Brush bread with olive oil and bake until golden brown on both sides. Spread each toast with cheese mixture. Bake until cheese topping starts to bubble, about 8 minutes.
Transfer toasts to platter, sprinkle with green onions and serve warm.
Enjoy!

PIMENTO CHEESE AND BACON CROSTINI

In a mixer fitted with the paddle, combine 2 1/2 cups each of shredded extra-sharp white and monterey jack cheeses. Add two 4-ounce jars of pimentos, drained and finely chopped, along with 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, blend at low speed.
Season with cayenne. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Spread the pimento cheese on toasts, top with chopped bacon and bake in a 400F oven for 2 minutes.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, December 2009
www.foodandwine.com/recipes‎

PEPPER GLAZED GOAT CHEESE GRATIN

1 pound goat cheese, softened
6 tablespoons apricot preserves
4 peppadew peppers, finely chopped
1 pickled jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced cocktail onions
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons dry sherry
toasted baguette slices for serving

Heat oven to 400F.
Spread the goat cheese in a 5 by 8 inch dish. In a small bowl, whisk the preserves with the peppadews, jalapeño, onions, mustard and sherry. Spread the mixture over the goat cheese and bake on the top rack of the oven for about 5 minutes, until warm. Turn on the broiler and broil for about 2 minutes, until the topping is bubbling and lightly browned at the edges. Serve hot, with toasted baguette slices.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food & Wine, April 2012
www.foodandwine.com/monthly/recipes/april-2012

CHICKEN LIVER CROSTINI

27 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in Appetizers

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I thought this Chicken Liver Crostini was sexy, I really did!!
I made it for a recent dinner party, and served it as an appetizer, but saved the last little bit for just my husband and myself.
A few nights after the dinner party, we opened a bottle of wine and savored the remaining pate, in celebration of the last Boy Scout meeting my husband would be responsible for.
As part of a cheese board, with fresh fruit, preserves, crackers and nuts, and the kids in bed asleep, it was the perfect romantic respite – a lovely get-away at home.

CHICKEN LIVER CROSTINI

1 pound chicken livers
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 sage sprigs
1 rosemary sprig
1 anchovy fillet, minced
1 tablespoon drained capers
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup cognac
1 baguette, thinly sliced, toasted

Trim the chicken livers of any sinews and veins and set them on paper towels to dry for about 20 minutes.
In a large skillet, melt the butter in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the chopped onion, sage and rosemary and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the anchovy and capers and cook over low heat until the onion is lightly browned, about 8 minutes longer. Scrape the mixture into a medium bowl.
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Season the chicken livers with salt and pepper, add them to the skillet and cook over high heat until browned, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook the chicken livers for 1 minute longer. Stir in the onion mixture. Add the cognac and carefully ignite it with a long match. Cook the livers until the flames subside.
Discard the herb sprigs and scrape the contents of the skillet into a food processor, let cool slightly. Pulse to desired level of smoothness, then season with salt and pepper.
Either spread the baguette toasts with the chicken liver to serve, or spread the mixture into a ramekin and top with melted duck fat – chill before serving.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, September 2009
www.foodandwine.com/recipes‎

MUSHROOM AND RED PEPPER CROSTINI

01 Sunday Sep 2013

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I love to discover foods I haven’t tried or heard of before. Just one of the many reasons I revel in travel, and appreciate eating at some of the more adventurous local restaurants – there may be ingredients in a dish I haven’t heard of before and I am always curious, and ask about them, and taste them.
We took a family trip to Eureka Springs over a recent weekend, and after a day of eating, Flea Marketing and sock shopping (my daughters request), my husband stopped at the local supermarket so I could run in and pick up a couple of things I needed to cook dinner back at our lake cottage. While in the produce section, I noticed a mushroom I hadn’t ever seen before –  Bunapi, also known as White Beech – an adorable cluster of small, delicate white caps. I bought a package to experiment with, and found this crostini recipe, where they are paired with rich roasted red peppers, and creamy Brie cheese, to be especially enjoyable.

MUSHROOM AND RED PEPPER CROSTINI

1/2 loaf of French bread, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package of White Beech (Bunapi) mushrooms, ends trimmed and mushrooms pulled apart
4 ounces of jarred roasted red bell peppers, sliced into thin strips
1 Brie cheese round, cut into wedges

Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, swirl in the olive oil. Add the mushrooms and the red bell peppers and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Turn the broiler on. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toast the bread for 3 to 4 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
Place a wedge of Brie on top of each toast and return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes to let the cheese melt just slightly. Remove from the oven, top each toast slice with the mushroom and bell pepper mixture.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from the Hokto Kinoko Website
http://www.hokto-kinoko.com/?p=345#more-345

HERBED GOAT CHEESE DIP and SWEET PEA CROSTINI and SPRING VEGETABLE AND GOAT CHEESE DIP

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Dips

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There have been several occasions lately that involve visiting friends, bearing an appetizer and a bottle of wine – perhaps something to do with the warmer weather, longer days, and kids being out of school.
The essence of these gatherings is always to relax and have fun and catch up with a gorgeous group of ladies – apparently I have my own theme going that includes toasted baguette and goat cheese.
HERBED GOAT CHEESE DIP
In a medium bowl, beat 2 tablespoons of whipping cream until thickened. Stir in 3.5 ounces of crumbled goat cheese, 1/4 cup of snipped herbs (I used oregano, parsley, dill and tarragon), a finely chopped shallot, finely grated peel from one lemon, and a clove of minced garlic. Stir to combine, season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Thin with additional cream if desired.
Serve with toasted baguette slices.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, March 2013
www.bhg.com/recipes/‎
SWEET PEA CROSTINI

1 14 ounce package frozen sweet peas, thawed
3 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
french baguette slices, toasted
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

Place peas and garlic in a food processor, add olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill 2 hours.
Spoon pea mixture onto toasted baguette slices, sprinkle with goat cheese.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, June 2011
www.southernliving.com › Food › Recipes

SPRING VEGETABLE AND GOAT CHEESE DIP

1 cup 3/4 inch pieces asparagus
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped leeks
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 cup grated cheddar
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 ounce) can of chopped artichoke hearts in water, drained
1/2 cup peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
6 ounces crumbled fresh goat cheese, divided

Heat oven to 450F.
Cook asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain, let cool.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 10 minutes. Whisk in flour, gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, remove from heat. Add cheddar, whisk until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold in asparagus (reserve tips), artichoke hearts, peas, chives, mint, parsley, lemon zest and 4 ounces of crumbled fresh goat cheese.
Transfer mixture to a baking dish, arrange asparagus tips on top and dot with another 2 ounces of goat cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Epicurious
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spring-Vegetable-and-Goat-Cheese-Dip-395040

GORGONZOLA ROASTED PEAR CROSTINI and ASIAGO PECAN SHORTBREAD

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

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Beautiful friends were getting married, and I always like to show my love with food. These appetizers were wonderful for the bridal shower, but would work just as well for any holiday party.
There is something so appealing about soft cheese, roasted pear, and a drizzle of honey! Although my shortbread came out crumbly, the pieces I did manage to salvage were tasty – next time I will make sure to follow the recipe, and refrigerate it for more than a couple of hours, and maybe add a little extra butter to the mix.

GORGONZOLA ROASTED PEAR CROSTINI

3 pears, cut into wedges
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 ounces gorgonzola or other blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons creme fraiche
2 tablespoons sherry
french bread baguette slices, toasted
1/2 cup finely chopped, roasted pecans
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup honey

Heat oven to 350F.
Roast pear wedges, 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden.
Stir together cream cheese, blue cheese, butter, creme fraiche and sherry. Spread about 1 tablespoon on each baguette slice. Top with 1 slice of grilled pear, sprinkle with pecans and rosemary and drizzle with honey.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, June 2011
www.southernliving.com › Food › Recipes

ASIAGO PECAN SHORTBREAD

2 cups shredded asiago cheese
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Beat cheese, butter and red pepper at medium speed with an electric stand mixer, until blended.
Gradually add flour, beating at low speed just until blended. Shape dough into 2 logs. Wrap each log in plastic wrap, chill 8 hours.
Heat oven to 350F.
Cut logs into 1/3 inch thick rounds, and place on parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven, transfer to wire racks and let cool completely.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, June 2011
www.southernliving.com › Food › Recipes