Crostini With Cheese Torta Marinated Bell Peppers Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush the bread on both sides with the olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until crusty and brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Turn once about halfway through cooking, and dust with Parmesan, if using. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Place bread slices on ungreased cookie sheet. Drizzle 1 teaspoon oil over each bread slice.
• Mix tomato, basil, capers, salt and pepper. Spread half of the tomato mixture over bread slices; top each with cheese slice. Spread remaining tomato mixture over cheese.
• Bake about 8 minutes or until bread is hot and cheese is melted. Serve hot.

Steps:

• Take cheeses out of refrigerator to bring to room temperature.
• Roast bell peppers. Place pepper on a foil lined broiler pan. Broil turning as sides begin to char. Wrap tightly in the foil and let cool. This will steam them so the skin removes easily. When cool, remove stems, skins and seeds.
• Dice peppers and add vinegar, oil, herbs, capers and garlic. Add salt and pepper. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Toast pine nuts in a dry pan, shaking until they take on a little color. This can take as little as a minute or two so don't walk away from pan.
• Blend cream cheese, feta and goat cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Shape into a mound on the serving platter and slightly flatten the top.
• Pour marinated peppers over the cheese, then garnish with toasted pine nuts and basil. Surround with crostini.

Steps:

• Set the oven to broil at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil, butter and garlic. Set over medium heat, and cook until butter has melted and the mixture starts to bubble. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Dip each slice of bread into the garlic mixture, turning to coat each side. Place Parmesan cheese on a plate. Press one side of each piece of bread into the cheese, and place cheese side up on a baking sheet.
• Broil on the middle rack of the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

Steps:

• Dice roasted bell peppers into squares.
• Combine vinegar, oil, herbs, capers, and garlic. Add salt and pepper.
• Marinate 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, blend cream cheese, feta, and goat cheese until smooth.
• Shape into a mound on a large serving plate; slightly flatten the top.
• Pour peppers over cheese; garnish with pine nuts and basil. Surround with crostini.
• For Plain Crostini: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut bread into 1/2-inch slices; cut large slices in half. Toast on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes. When golden brown, rub with garlic if desired. Brush with extra virgin olive oil or melted butter. Bread can also be pan-fried in oil or butter.