Appetizer > Italian Crostinis

Sandpaper Fig and Blue Cheese Crostini Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2 inch thick pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped sandpaper figs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste

Special equipment needed:
- Baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
- Knife

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Brush the baguette slices with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.

3. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is lightly toasted.

4. In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled blue cheese, chopped sandpaper figs, and chopped parsley.

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Spoon the blue cheese mixture onto the toasted baguette slices.

7. Return the crostini to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.

9. Serve warm.


Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15-17 minutes
Temperature:
375°F
Serving size:
Makes 12 crostini

Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 140
Fat per serving: 9g
Carbohydrates per serving: 11g
Protein per serving: 4g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Instead of sandpaper figs, you can use regular figs or dried figs.
- Instead of blue cheese, you can use goat cheese or feta cheese.

Variations:
- Add a drizzle of honey on top of the crostini for a sweet and savory flavor.
- Top the crostini with sliced prosciutto for a salty addition.
- Use different herbs such as thyme or rosemary instead of parsley.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to slice the baguette evenly to ensure even toasting.
- You can make the crostini ahead of time and store them in an airtight container until ready to serve.
- If you don't have sandpaper figs, you can substitute with other types of figs or even apricots.

Storage instructions:
Store any leftover crostini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating instructions:
To reheat the crostini, place them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
Arrange the crostini on a platter and garnish with fresh parsley or thyme.

Garnishes:
Fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme.

Pairings:
Pair with a glass of red wine or a light salad.

Suggested side dishes:
Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad.

Troubleshooting advice:
If the crostini are not toasting evenly, rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking.

Food safety advice:
Make sure to store any leftover crostini in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days.

Food history:
Crostini is a traditional Italian appetizer that dates back to the 15th century.

Flavor profiles:
The crostini has a combination of savory and sweet flavors from the blue cheese and sandpaper figs.

Serving suggestions:
Serve as an appetizer or as a light lunch.

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Taste: Creamy, Tangy, Savory, Nutty, Sweet