Fun with Crostini "Little Toasts" (Maple Balsamic, Pomegranate Balsamic, Apple Cinnamon Balsamic, Pear Balsamic)

When you have crostini in the house, appetizers and snacks are so easy! Add balsamic and you can create some beautiful and pallet pleasing combinations.

Crostini means little toasts in Italian. They are so easy to make that I will bake a batch any time I have an extra baguette in the house. I put them in an air tight container to keep them fresh on the counter and love having them for dipping, snacks, little salad sides and a handy appetizer solution for last minute guests.

Crostini Recipe

1. Slice a baguette into about 1/4 inch mini toasts.

2. Arrange the toasts on a baking sheet and brush one side liberally with olive oil.

3. Sprinkle lightly with salt and cracked papper.

4. Bake at 350 degrees about 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

5. Hints

   • For best results, turn the pan around 1/2 way through the backing cycle for even results

   • The first time you make them, watch them closely. They can overcook quickly.

Crostini with Cranberry Goat Cheese, Roasted Persimmons and Maple or Fig Balsamic

This crostini features fall fruits and flavors.

You will need the following:

1. Ripe fuyu persimmons - sliced roasted

2. Chevre goat cheese

3. Whole berry cranberry sauce

4. enfuso maple balsamic vinegar

To roast the persimmons, place slices on a baking sheet. Brush them lightly with olive oil. Bake them at 365 degrees about 10 minutes until they are fork tender.

To assemble your crostini:

1. Spread them with goat cheese.

2. Add a small dollop of cranberry sauce.

3. Top with a few slices of roasted fuyu persimmon

4. Drizzle with maple or fig balsamic vinegar or if seasonal flavors are in stock, try our honey ginger balsamic vinegar

Crostini with ricotta cheese, pomegranate seeds, fresh mint, and pomegranate balsamic

Pomegranate seeds and fresh mint give this recipe a tangy and refreshing flavor.

And the beautify red green color contrast gives it a seasonal winter charm.

You will need the following:

1. Ricotta cheese

2. Pomegranate seeds

3. Fresh mint leaves

4. enfuso pomegranate balsamic vinegar

To assemble your crostini:

1. Spread them with ricotta cheese.

2. Place pomegranate seeds around the cheese layer

3. Top with a fresh mint leaf

4. Drizzle with pomegranate balsamic vinegar

Crostini with Buffalo Mozzarella, Baked Apples, and Apple or Pear Balsamic

This crostini features sweet crispy apples. We love fuji and envy, but you choose your favorite!

You will need the following:

1. Crisp apples - sliced baked

2. Sliced buffalo mozzarella cheese

3. enfuso apple cinnamon OR pear white balsamic vinegar and cinnamon

To bake the apples, place slices on a baking sheet and bake them at 365 degrees about 10 minutes until they are fork tender.

To assemble your crostini:

1. Lay a slice of buffalo mozzarella cheese

2. Add a few slices of baked apple

3. Drizzle with pear balsamic vinegar and add dash of cinnamon on top or if seasonal flavors are available try our apple cinnamon balsamic vinegar.

Once you start using your crostini creatively, the ideas keep coming. These recipes feature fruits and cheeses but for a more savory snack try roasted veggies and herbaceous spreads. But a drizzle of balsamic will always add the perfect finishing touch.