A snack meal consisting of appetizers is the perfect summer food, and these Crostini Two Ways are delicious open faced sandwiches for al fresco dining.
Between the Avocado Prosciutto Crostini and the Smashed Chickpea Salami Crostini, the rest of your meal can come together from packaged cheeses, fruit, and nuts.
This post is sponsored by Tony’s Market, Denver’s local meat market and gourmet grocer. Their downtown market is located at 950 Broadway.
Let’s talk about your appetizer game. Yes, you. Are you someone who relies on these little bites before a get together or do you skip them in favor of a larger meal, perhaps prioritizing dessert?
Today I’m offering up two easy and delicious crostini ideas, using ingredients from Tony’s Market – just a few blocks from our new house. We walk over there when we’re in the mood for a little fresh air, some browsing at the deli and cheese counters, and a snack-style dinner with a rustic baguette.
I whipped up these two crostini recipes as ideas for how to pair nice meats with simple spreads. I loved the fresh, herby flavors in contrast to the salty meat and crisped baguette slices.
After toasting slices of the rustic baguette from Tony’s with olive oil, the Avocado Prosciutto Crostini (pictured below) comes together by mashing an avocado with fresh chives, and a little salt. Just enough oomph to compliment the salty, chewy extra thinly sliced prosciutto.
Similarly, the Smashed Chickpea Salami Crostini (pictured below) is a hand mixed blend of chickpeas, salt, fresh parsley, and a dash of water for spreadability. Feel free to substitute another white bean that you have on hand.
This textured base is the perfect vehicle for a little red onion, tomato slices, and finally a thin slice of aged salami with notes of pepper and fennel.
- 1 rustic baguette, sliced into 1" pieces on an angle
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium avocado
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ of a pound thin slices of proscuitto
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon of water
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Thinly sliced cherry tomatoes
- 8-10 thin slices of salami
- Thinly sliced cucumber
- Additional cherry tomatoes
- Cheeses
- Dried fruits and nuts
- Lightly brush baguette slices with olive oil and broil on high for 3-4 minutes, until slightly toasted. I usually will rotate pieces halfway through to make sure they get a minute under the broiler to brown.
- See individual crostini recipes below.
- To make the avocado spread, mash avocado with minced chives and salt.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of the avocado spread onto 8 toasted baguette slices.
- Top with a folded slice of prosciutto and serve.
- To make the smashed chickpea spread, mash chickpeas with minced parsley, salt, and water.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of the avocado spread onto 8 toasted baguette slices.
- Top with slices of tomato, red onion, and a folded slice of salami.
Serve them already assembled if you’d like, or all the components, on a large tray, baking sheet, or cutting board.
I like to intersperse them with additional slices of toasted baguette, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts, cheeses, and additional slices of cured meats, so people can continue to assemble snack bites throughout the evening. You can check-out my Stone Fruit and Ricotta post for more ideas!
Are you someone who likes to put together appetizers or snack dinners?
Marisa
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Holy moly, these sound amazing… and really make me wish I was eating gluten!!
Marisa says
Thanks Hannah!
Sara Lancaster says
You’ve got a way with crostini! Love the combos. Eating snack food for dinner is one of my favorite ways to dine. And thanks for working with Tony’s Market on this. 🙂
Marisa says
Yes! Snack dinners all the way! Thanks Sara.
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
I’ve recently found my love for prosciutto. It’s so freaking good and can’t believe that I had never had it before! Looks so tasty paired with that toasty bread.
Marisa says
Right? It’s lovely!
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
this is a just wonderful. i love mine with goat cheese and some sort of jam usually but adding avocados is great.
Marisa says
Sounds delicious – I’m going to have to try that too!