Spinach And Parmesan Crostini Recipes

SPINACH ALMOND CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the chopped almonds out on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and golden, 5 to 10 minutes. Check frequently, as they can burn quickly. Allow to cool.
• Preheat the broiler. Slice the baguette diagonally in 1/4-inch-thick slices, brush with olive oil and place on a broiler pan. Broil until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a steamer basket set over 1 inch of simmering water, steam the spinach until wilted, a few minutes. Remove the spinach and drain well.
• Put the spinach and garlic in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add in the sour cream, almonds, parsley, thyme, chives, cayenne, and season with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Pulse until combined. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
• Spread the spinach mixture on the toasted bread, sprinkle with additional chopped almonds, and serve.

BACON-WRAPPED SPINACH DIP CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the bacon with the brown sugar in a medium bowl until evenly coated. Arrange the bacon on a baking sheet and bake until light golden around the edges but still very soft, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe the baking sheet clean, then spray with cooking spray.
• Stir together the spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl.
• Spoon 1 tablespoon of the spinach mixture onto each slice of bread and wrap it with a piece of bacon so that the ends are tucked under the bread (it should look a bit like a belt). Arrange the crostini on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the bacon is dark golden, about 15 minutes. These are best served warm.

SPINACH PESTO ON SARDINE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Steam damp spinach in a largecovered pot over medium heatuntil tender and wilted, about5 minutes. Drain. Squeeze outexcess water. Transfer to a foodprocessor. Add garlic, pepperflakes, nuts, and Parmesan tobowl. Pulse until finely ground.With machine running, add oil.Stir in lemon zest. Season withsalt. Serve with toasted breaddrizzled with oil and topped withsardines and currants. Squeezewith lemon before serving.

CREAMY PARMESAN SPINACH

Steps:

• Place spinach and water in a Dutch oven; cover and cook for 3 minutes or until wilted. Drain and set aside., In the same pan, melt butter. Stir in the cream, lemon zest, garlic and pepper flakes; bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until slightly reduced. Stir in cheese and spinach; heat through. Sprinkle with croutons.

SPINACH, PROSCIUTTO AND RED BELL PEPPER CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and sauté until crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer pepper to small bowl.
• Heat same skillet over high heat. Add spinach and sauté 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and sauté until spinach is tender, about 2 minutes longer. Cool in skillet. Transfer spinach to work surface; chop spinach. Set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add prosciutto and sauté 30 seconds. Add chopped spinach. Sauté 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Mix in cream.
• Preheat broiler. Arrange bread slices on large baking sheet. Broil until lightly toasted. Turn bread slices over. Brush top of bread slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Broil until lightly toasted. Cool. (Components can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover spinach mixture and bell pepper strips separately; refrigerate. Store toasts airtight at room temperature.) Spoon generous 1 tablespoon spinach mixture atop each toast. Arrange bell pepper strips atop toasts. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Broil crostini until cheese bubbles and spinach mixture is hot, about 2 minutes. Transfer crostini to plate and serve.