Best Homemade Crostini Recipes

CREAM CHEESE CRAB SPREAD WITH HOMEMADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Combine the cream cheese and all but 1/2 cup of the crabmeat in a medium bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined. Roll into an 8-inch log and refrigerate until firmed up slightly, about 1 hour. Refrigerate the remaining 1/2 cup crabmeat until serving.
• Meanwhile, combine the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, salt and some pepper in a medium bowl. Taste and adjust to your liking.
• Place the log on a serving platter. Spoon some of the sauce over it, reserving the remaining sauce in a small bowl to serve on the side. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup crabmeat on top and garnish with the chives. Rub the garlic onto one side of each slice of bread and arrange the bread on the serving platter.

LEMON HERB, HOMEMADE RICOTTA & ROASTED TOMATO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Ricotta -- First step is to make your ricotta which - seriously makes itself. It is so easy. You will need a heavy bottomed pot or strainer or colander, cheese cloth and a big bowl. Step 1: Set up your colander over a large bowl. Make sure there is plenty of room in the bowl for the liquid to drain. Take 2 pieces of damp cheese cloth and line the colander. Step 2: In a medium to large pot, bring the milk, cream and salt to a rolling boil on medium heat stirring often. Once it is boiling add in the vinegar and immediately remove from the heat and stir. The vinegar will cause the milk and cream to separate and form curds. Stir a couple of times, wait 2-3 minutes, and then pour it into the strainer or colander on top of the cheese cloth. You will see the whey or clear liquid separate from the milk curds and drain to the bottom of the bowl. Let it rest at room temp for about 15-20 minutes to cool before you put it in the refrigerator. Just make sure as it sets in the refrigerator that none of the liquid in the bowl is touching the bottom of the ricotta. Make sure to cover the ricotta with saran wrap. Personally, I like to let mine set over night, but at least 4 hours to cool down and set.
• Tomatoes -- I like to have these chilled rather than hot, so I make these ahead of time too. Couldn't be easier. Oven at 425, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and add the tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for approximately 10 minutes until they begin to soften, but not falling apart. Let cool, transfer to a plate and cover. Done!
• Herbed Topping -- Add the ricotta, lemon zest and juice, scallions, herbs, salt and pepper. Mix well and set to the side. I prefer to make this right before I serve.
• Baguettes -- Some people bake them on a high temp in the oven, personally, I prefer to broil mine. They take only a minute or two and it is easy. I line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and add the baguette slices. Drizzle with olive oil and broil the first side. Once golden brown, flip and broil just another minute until brown. Remove and rub the garlic on the side you drizzled with olive oil. That is the side you will add the toppings to. The garlic is optional, but I think it gives it a great taste.
• Finish -- Top each of the baguette with a little of the arugula (optional), then a spoon of the ricotta and a tomato slice. ENJOY!
• Prep time doesn't include the chilling of the ricotta.

SERRANO HAM, OLIVE, FETA & ROCKET PLATTER WITH HOMEMADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• The crostini should be made no more than 15 mins in advance. Slice the bread about ½in thick and brush on some olive oil. Heat a griddle pan and grill the bread in batches until the outsides are crisp and attractively marked by the grill, and the insides are still soft.
• Drape the ham over the largest platter you have - don't lay it flat, allow it to billow slightly. Break the feta by hand into irregular chunks about the size of a walnut, then dot over the ham. Randomly place the olives on the ham and carefully place the rocket leaves across the platter. Just before your guests tuck in, carefully drizzle over a little olive oil followed by the honey. Put the crostini on a separate platter or in a bowl, and serve alongside the salad at the table.

HOMEMADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange bread on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush tops generously with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until edges are golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool on sheet on a wire rack.