Wednesday, March 30, 2011

crostini!

If left to my own devices, I would probably put something on a piece of toast and call it dinner every single night. To me, there's nothing finer than crunching into a slice of baguette topped with something delicious.

And sometimes the best topping ideas seem to come out of nowhere. For our dinner with Dan's dad Larry, I knew we'd need something to snack on before the main event hit the table. So I grabbed an avocado and mashed it up in a bowl with a squeeze of lemon and a good hit of salt. I spooned the makeshift guac onto the baguette slices and drizzled everything with some olive oil. Sounds stupidly simple, but it was really delicious. A good avocado can almost stand on its own. You don't necessarily need lime, and jalapeno, and cilantro. (Although that never hurts.)

On the other side of the plate went a goat cheese-sliced pear-honey crostini. The key to this combo is lots of fresh ground black pepper. Like a tiny bit more than you think you'll want.

What are your favorite things to put on sliced bread? Enlighten us in the comments. I, for one, need more ideas!

18 comments:

Mere said...

Your peach, basil and goat cheese crostini is one of my most favorites. I've been wanting to make a soft-boiled egg salad on toast as an appetizer, but haven't had a reason yet. (like the Euro Pane version that gets such rave reviews)

Unknown said...

I love your new header! It's pretty neat.

Crostini is delicious. Have you thought about doing any sweet versions? I'd love to experiment with that.

Julie said...

One of my favorites is ricotta with braised red cabbage on top. Such a pretty color!

Lisa said...

Aunt Mere: I love that one too. Can't wait for good peaches to come back in season. I think egg salad would be delicious with some tarragon or dill. Homemade mayo would make it really killer.

Nikkilooch: Hi there! Thank you so much. You know what I love? Slightly melted dark chocolate with a sprinkling of salt on baguette slices. Kind of like a chocolate croissant.

Julie: Yum, I love that idea. And almost filling enough for a meal, I bet.

Daniel said...

Avocado is respected as an all-around wonder fruit, but as a condiment, it's way underrated.

Casey@Good. Food. Stories. said...

the dark chocolate/chorizo crostini from Tia Pol are some of the most deliciously out-there things on toast I've ever tried.

rosiiieee said...

Have you been to Despana on Broome St? It's amazing. They have a quince paste that goes great with manchego cheese, or a roasted red pepper smear that goes great with some chorizo. I know these aren't home made, but they're a lifesaver when it comes to dinner parties! I'm sure there are some amazing combinations you can come up with that goes along with the quince paste and roast red pepper!! :)

Lisa said...

Daniel: Agreed. I could eat one every day. Probably not a good idea.

Casey: I've had that! Super-good.

Rosie: I have, it's a really cool shop. I love quince paste too--so nice to have on hand for a quick snack. I'll have to look for the roasted red pepper...

Anonymous said...

Have you been to Jones Wood Foundry - they have a whole toast menu. It's worth the trip uptown!
Also great ideas for your own like: goat cheese with marmalade; stilton with poached pears, etc...
http://www.joneswoodfoundry.com/menus/toast.html

Anonymous said...

Have you been to Jones Wood Foundry - they have a whole toast menu. It's worth the trip uptown!
Also great ideas for your own like: goat cheese with marmalade; stilton with poached pears, etc...
http://www.joneswoodfoundry.com/menus/toast.html

ariel said...

i love your blog, and read it everyday. i also LOVE crostini! please see my recent post on crostini: http://12thanda.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/sunday-stuffed/.

xx

Lisa said...

soher159: I have not, but thanks for the tip! Sounds like my kind of place.

Ariel: Thank you for reading! Your crostinis look so delicious.

Sarah from 20somethingcupcakes said...

I love how we're always on the same page. When I first saw your photo, I almost died because I made crostini over the weekend - one green, and one white! I did pea pesto and homemade ricotta, though - so a little different. They were amazing. And I know what you mean about avocado, love that.

That Girl in Pearls said...

Wow, I have to try that goat cheese crostini with pear! My husband would lose his mind. He's half Greek and Loves all goat cheese. Thanks for the brilliant idea!

Hope you have a wonderful day!
B.

That Girl in Pearls

Lisa said...

Beatriz: You too! Thanks :)

Unknown said...

Goat cheese pear and honey is a great combo for a crostini.

Exam Result 2011 said...

It looks so delicious. yum

b & b hotels india said...

I love your new header! It's pretty neat.Crossing is delicious. Have you thought about doing any sweet versions? I'd love to experiment with that.

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