Pine Nut And Date Crostini Recipes

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH DATES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Evenly spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and roast, tossing once with a spatula, until golden brown at the edges, about 20 minutes.
• Put the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Once it's melted, add the pine nuts and cook, stirring frequently, until they're lightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and dates and continue cooking until they're softened, 2 to 3 minutes more; season with salt.
• Transfer the hot cauliflower to a serving bowl, drizzle the pine nut mixture over the top and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary and serve warm or at room temperature.

GORGONZOLA, GRAPE AND PINE NUT CROSTINI

Steps:

• 1. Preheat broiler and adjust rack so that it is about 4 inches from heat source.
• 2. Beat together cream cheese, mayonnaise, gorgonzola cheese and green onions; season with salt and pepper. Fold in grapes and pine nuts.
• 3. Spread a tablespoon of cheese mixture on each baguette slice.
• 4. Broil until heated and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
• *To toast pine nuts: Put pine nuts on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350 degrees F. until lightly browned, about 7 minutes.

CROSTINI WITH EGGPLANT AND PINE NUT PURéE

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Peel, and trim eggplant, and slice into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with oil, arrange on a sheet pan, and broil about 6 inches from heat until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Turn, and brown the second side. Remove from broiler, and stack slices so they steam to finish cooking.
• Toast pine nuts in a small skillet over low heat, shaking often, until golden. Cool. Using a large mortar and pestle, grind pine nuts with garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth. Coarsely chop eggplant, add to mixture, and work into a somewhat rough purée with the pestle or in a food processor. Add a little lemon juice to sharpen the flavor. Taste for salt; add more if needed, and season with pepper. Stir in herbs. Spread on baguette slices or crackers, and garnish with a basil leaf.