Crostini With Blue Cheese Quince Paste And Cracked Black Pepper Recipes

Steps:

• Bring the orange juice and sugar to a simmer in a large saute pan, over medium-low heat. Add the plums and cook until slightly softened and caramelized.
• Top each piece of bread with some of the plum mixture, then a dollop of ricotta and a sprinkling of black pepper.

Steps:

• In a small bowl stir all the ingredients together. Spoon over vegetables or drizzle lightly over dressed salads as a garnish.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the milk, butter, sugar, and pepper. Place over medium-high heat and bring to about 110 degrees F. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the milk. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
• Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the bowl of flour and mix until a soft, ragged mixture is formed. Transfer the mixture to a well-floured work surface and knead until a soft elastic dough is formed, about 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and place in a warm spot, until puffed and doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Transfer the dough to the work surface and, using your hands, gently flatten it into a 10-inch-long oval shape. Fold the dough into thirds lengthwise, overlapping the sides in the center. Press down on the overlapping sides to seal and make a seam. Place it seam side-down in a buttered 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, cover with a kitchen towel, and return to the warmest part of the kitchen until the dough has risen about 1 1/2 inches over the top of the pan, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Brush the top of the dough lightly with warm water and, using a sharp knife, make 1/4-inch-deep slit down the center. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the loaf from the pan and place in the center of the rack. Continue baking until the loaf sounds hollow when rapt lightly with your knuckles on the bottom and top, and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 200 degrees F., about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the bread loaf to a cooling rack and let cool for 2 hours before using.

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 5 to 6 inches from the broiler element. Preheat the broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• In a small bowl gently toss the tomatoes, shallots, 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and vinegar together. Spread out the mixture on the prepared baking sheet. Set the baking sheet on a rack under the broiler element. Broil until the tomatoes begin to show a few black spots, about 4 minutes with oven door closed. Turn the mixture, using a spatula, and broil 3 minutes longer with the oven door closed. Remove from the oven and transfer the mixture with a slotted spoon to a small bowl; set the bowl aside until needed. Retain the broiler heat on high.
• While the tomatoes are broiling, combine the ricotta, blue cheese, pesto, 1/2 teaspoon salt, lemon juice and lemon peel in a medium bowl.
• Arrange the baguette slices on a large baking sheet and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Put the baking sheet on the rack under the broiler element and broil until golden, about 1 minute or so per side, watching carefully. Remove from oven.
• To assemble, season the tomato mixture with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and peppercorns, then stir in the basil. Spread some of the ricotta mixture over each crostini. Top with the tomato/onion mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese, dividing all the ingredients equally among the slices. Transfer to a serving plate and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange baguette slices on two large rimmed baking sheets; brush both sides with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden, 15 to 20 minutes (if undersides are not browning, turn crostini over once during baking). Let cool on baking sheets. Top crostini with desired toppings, and serve.