Crostini With Cheese Torta and Marinated Bell Peppers

Submitted by threeovens

"Great for a party appetizer - it makes a colorful presentation."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Yields: 1 platter
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 4 ounces feta cheese (can be flavored)
• 3 ounces goat cheese
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• fresh basil (to garnish)
• 18 crostini (lightly toasted, thin sliced, french bread)

directions

1. Take cheeses out of refrigerator to bring to room temperature.
2. Roast bell peppers. Place pepper on a foil lined broiler pan. Broil turning as sides begin to char. Wrap tightly in the foil and let cool. This will steam them so the skin removes easily. When cool, remove stems, skins and seeds.
3. Dice peppers and add vinegar, oil, herbs, capers and garlic. Add salt and pepper. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Toast pine nuts in a dry pan, shaking until they take on a little color. This can take as little as a minute or two so don't walk away from pan.
5. Blend cream cheese, feta and goat cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Shape into a mound on the serving platter and slightly flatten the top.
6. Pour marinated peppers over the cheese, then garnish with toasted pine nuts and basil. Surround with crostini.

Reviews

[diebley]

Fantastic! I toasted cheese & herb French baguette slices for the bread. We mixed in a little blue cheese instead of the goat cheese. I have a picture if folks are interested! Folks at the party where we took the appetizer loved it! Highly recommended. JD

 

[CIndytc]

Wow, wow wow! This was a huge hit at euchre last night....what a great tasting and impressive looking appy....I should have made more crostini's though, we ran out...the only thing I changed was I roasted my peppers over the open flame on top of my gas stove..it worked so much easier...thanks