Sweet meets savoury in these Strawberry and Balsamic Crostini. It is a perfect appetizer for summer entertaining but it is also a welcome change in winter months.
Jump to:
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Strawberries are easy to source all year round.
- You get a lot of appetizers for a little effort. The final number will depend on the size of your baguette.
- You can make a lot of appetizers in about a half hour.
- You can get really rich, ricotta cheeses which makes these appetizers even more memorable.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ricotta cheese will be a more neutral flavour allowing the strawberry compote to be the main flavour. You can substitute goat cheese for a tangier flavour with more sweet/savour contrat.
- Basil is an optional ingredient but recommended to give more flavour contrasts.
How Much Does This Make?
The number of crostini will depend on the size of your baguette. If you cut the ends off of an 18" baguette and slice it in to 1" slices you will get 16 crostini. You can calculate when you know what baguette you are using. You can also cut ¾" slices but I wouldn't go thinner than that.
The strawberries reduce to a generous 1 cup of compote so go for 1.5 tsps to 1 tablespoon of topping depnding on how many crostini you have.
Other Ways to Serve the Strawberry Balsamic Compote
It is also delicious with this Honey Feta Garlic Dip. You can make it super easy and let guests top their own crostini with the Dip and Strawberry/Balsamic Compote!
FAQs
You use frozen strawberries. You won't be able to chop them if they are whole so you will have to break them up with a spoon once the soften up. Frozen strawberries will be much waterier than fresh so plan to reduce the strawberry mixture longer than you would for fresh.
The flavours in the compote are quite strong and distinct. You could use a very mild Boursin or Bourin type cheese. If there is a black pepper flavour you will be in but I would avoid busy flavours like Fig Balsamic for example.
If you have any of the Strawberry Balsamic Compote left over you can cover it and it will keep in the fridge about a week. See the note above about how to serve it with a Feta Garlic dip as well.
Related Recipes
Strawberry Balsamic Crostini
If you tried this, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know it went in the 📝 comments below!
Save Print Pin FacebookIngredients
Crostini
- 1 baguette
- ¼ cup olive oil
- sea salt for garnish
Strawberry Balsamic Compote
- 2 cups fresh strawberries rough chop berries and then measure the 2 cups (berries should be in about ⅛th size pieces)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot minced
- ½ clove garlic minced
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey can up to 2 tsps if you like sweet
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ Tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese can substitute goat cheese
- fresh basil for garnish optional but recommended
Instructions
Crostini
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Slice baguette in to 1" slices.
- Brush olive oil on both sides of bread slices. Lay flat on a baking sheet. Bake 15 -20 minutes just lightly coloured (not golden). Flip slices half way through.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Allow crostini to cool.
Strawberry Balsamic Compote
- While the baguette slices are in the oven, heat oil in a non stick skillet. Cook shallot about 5 minutes over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add strawberries, thyme, cinnamon, pepper and honey. Cook over medium heat abour 5-7 minutes until berries soften and the sauce thickens.
- Add Balsamic vinegar in last 2 minutes or so. Cook sauce a bit longer to thicken a bit more. You should have a generous cup of compote.
- Let mixture come to room temperature.
Assembly
- Add a scant tablespoon of ricotta or goat cheese to the top of each crostini. See Notes. Add 1 tablespoon of strawberry compote on top.
- Garnish with fresh slivered basil if desired.
Leave a Reply