Description
Succulent Italian beef crostini delights diners with robust Mediterranean flavors. Crisp bread layers complement rich meat, creating an elegant appetizer perfect for intimate gatherings and sophisticated palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (225 g) roast beef (deli-sliced or leftover cooked beef)
- 1 baguette, sliced into 12 thin rounds
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ cup (30 g) roasted red peppers, finely diced
- 2 tbsps fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Setup: Align thinly sliced baguette rounds across a baking sheet, spacing them strategically to ensure uniform exposure.
- Oil Infusion: Lovingly brush each bread slice with olive oil, creating a glistening surface that promises delectable caramelization and crisp texture.
- Oven Transformation: Position the prepared sheet in a center-rack oven preheated to 375F (190C), initiating a golden metamorphosis of the delicate bread rounds.
- Monitoring and Crisping: Vigilantly observe the crostini as they transition from pale to rich golden-brown, rotating midway to guarantee even caramelization and achieving a satisfying, crisp exterior that promises a delightful crunch.
- Cooling Refinement: After removing from the oven, allow the crostini to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, enabling them to solidify and develop peak textural perfection before serving or garnishing.
Notes
- Prevent Burning Carefully: Watch crostini closely during baking, as thin bread can quickly transition from golden to burnt within seconds, requiring constant visual monitoring.
- Oil Application Technique: Use a pastry brush for even olive oil distribution, ensuring each bread slice receives uniform coating to promote consistent browning and prevent dry spots.
- Rack Positioning Matters: Center oven rack guarantees balanced heat circulation, creating crisp crostini with perfect golden color without uneven scorching or undercooked sections.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent 375F (190C) temperature, as slight variations can dramatically impact texture, causing either soft or overly hardened bread surfaces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg