Gruyere & Caramelized Shallot Crostinis
Ingredients:
1 baguette, thinly sliced on the diagonal, ciabatta works well also
1 cup grated Gruyere Cheese
2 shallots, thinly sliced
4-5 T. Olive oil
Salt and pepper
*Crostinis- the perfect appetizer, meaning “little toasts” in Italian, are simply grilled thinly sliced white bread, until they become crispy. Designed to be easily held in one hand, the perfect appetizer maybe be topped with any array of vegetables or cheeses, the options are endless.
Resouce: wiseGeek.com
Lets Cook:
Preheat oven to 375. Brush bread on both sides with olive oil. Pastry brushes work well, or toss bread in a large bowl and swirl with olive oil and mix. Whatever your style, after coated with olive oil, place on baking sheet, lightly season with salt and pepper and bake in oven for about 7 minutes. I prefer not to over crisp my crostinis, by leaving them slightly chewy in the center.
While bread is in oven, thinly slice shallots and sauté in olive oil over medium high heat until caramelized, well browned around edges.
Remove olive oil crostinis from oven, top with grated gruyere and caramelized shallots. Place back in oven on convection bake (speeds things up a bit) and cook for an additional few minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. The perfect soup topper, or serve as individual appetizers.