Whether you want to enjoy them as an appetizer or as a healthy snack, crostini with pesto and cherry tomatoes are absolutely delicious.
This is a simple recipe, but rich in flavor, thanks to the freshness and genuineness of the ingredients: the basil pesto with its creaminess, the cherry tomatoes with their sweetness, and the toasted bread with its crunchiness.
The pesto, an aromatic green sauce, is prepared with fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, salt, garlic, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan, and Pecorino. All these ingredients harmoniously combine to create a velvety and flavorful sauce, which is then generously spread on crispy crostini. To complete, cherry tomatoes are added, diced and seasoned with oil, salt, and basil.
Preparing these bruschetta is easy and quick. To make the pesto, just blend the ingredients together, then spread it on the freshly toasted crostini. Finally, add the tomatoes and the dish is ready to enjoy!
Moreover, these crostini with cherry tomatoes and pesto are extremely versatile and perfectly suited for different occasions. You can serve them as an appetizer or aperitif or as a quick snack or dinner, when you have little time and want to eat something tasty.
Don’t miss these other appetizing finger foods:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 8 Minutes
- Portions: 12
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 162.55 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 13.58 (g) of which sugars 1.38 (g)
- Proteins 4.46 (g)
- Fat 10.45 (g) of which saturated 2.23 (g)of which unsaturated 2.20 (g)
- Fibers 1.32 (g)
- Sodium 402.98 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 1 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Crostini with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 cups basil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Pecorino cheese
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 12 slices rustic bread
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/8 cup tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 12 leaves basil
Preparation of Crostini with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes
Wash the basil leaves under running water and dry them on a dishcloth.
Then, blend in a mixer the basil leaves with the garlic clove, pine nuts, and four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Obtain a thick and homogeneous cream, of a beautiful bright green.
Next, pour the pesto into a bowl and add Parmesan and Pecorino. Mix the ingredients well and adjust with salt, if necessary.
Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with a little oil. Then, place them in a preheated oven at 356°F for 4–5 minutes, so they toast slightly.
In the meantime, cut the cherry tomatoes in half, well washed and dried, remove the seeds and dice them. Season with a pinch of salt, a little oil, and dried basil.
When the slices of bread are toasted, place them on a tray and top with pesto and cherry tomatoes. Finally, complete with fresh basil leaves.
Storage
Crostini with pesto and cherry tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days.
Tips for bruschetta with pesto and cherry tomatoes
– You can vary the toppings of the crostini, replacing the basil pesto with that of arugula or zucchini.
– Enrich the pesto and cherry tomato crostini by adding some Taggiasca olives or grilled vegetables.
– You can transform these crostini into a gourmet version by adding pan-seared squid or shrimp.
Related recipes
Crostini with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella in the Oven: a tasty finger food to prepare quickly.
Fresh Cherry Tomato Pesto (Fresh and Versatile Sauce Recipe)
FAQ
Can I prepare the pesto in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pesto in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the surface of the pesto with a thin layer of oil to prevent it from oxidizing.
Can I substitute fresh cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes?
Certainly. You can substitute fresh cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes in oil if you prefer a stronger flavor. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes well from excess oil before adding them to the crostini.
Can I add mozzarella to these crostini?
You can enrich the crostini with diced mozzarella, being careful to remove excess whey.
