Renaissance Crostini Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Separate the mini waffles into individual pieces and place on a sheet tray. Brush both sides with the melted butter. Toast in the oven, flipping halfway through, until crispy on the outside but still slightly soft on the inside, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Combine the mascarpone, honey, salt and orange zest in a medium bowl and mix until well blended. Spread the mixture on each toasted mini waffle with a butter knife or offset spatula. Garnish each with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, fresh mint and a drizzle of honey.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss together the baguette, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the bread is golden brown and toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet about 20 minutes; you can store the crostini in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Meanwhile, use a sharp knife to shave the kernels from the ears of corn and transfer the kernels to a medium bowl.
• Once the corn kernels are removed, "milk" the cobs by scraping a butter knife over the them, releasing the remaining milky liquid and letting it drip into the bowl.
• Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add the corn and any milk scraped from the cobs and season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is bright yellow and tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Stir the yogurt, cream cheese, lemon juice and cayenne together in a large bowl until combined. Fold in the corn mixture. Gently fold in the dill, parsley and chives until combined. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with the extra dill fronds. Serve the dip chilled with the crostini.

Steps:

• Tear the 3 thick slices of Italian bread into small 1-inch chunks and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add the red wine vinegar and toss to coat the bread and allow to soak for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, add the tomato paste and mix in 2 tablespoons of warm water to dilute. Set aside.
• Into the bowl of a food processor, add the capers, garlic, parsley and olive oil until you get a coarse chop. Add the soaked bread and tomato paste and mix until all the garlic is finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Spread the mixture onto the toasted crostini slices and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet.
• Combine the olive oil and Creole seasoning in a small bowl. Brush the mixture over the baguette slices. Transfer to the oven and toast until the bread is golden brown but still chewy in the center, 7 to 8 minutes.

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.