Crostini with Eggplants in Oil, Cherry Tomatoes, and Cooked Beef
A simple and tasty recipe for an appetizer or a main dish
During this time of the year, eggplants in oil are a very versatile and flavorful ingredient. They can be used in many recipes, both as a side dish and as a main ingredient. Crostini with eggplants in oil, cherry tomatoes, and cooked beef: a dish rich in flavors and contrasts. In this recipe, the flavorful and meaty eggplants in oil perfectly match the sweetness of cherry tomatoes and the savoriness of cooked beef. The result is a dish rich in flavors and contrasts, which whets the appetite and delights all palates. A dish easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. This recipe is really easy to prepare and can be made in a short time. It is perfect for an appetizer, a main dish, or an informal dinner. The crostini are crispy and delicious, and the mix of flavors is truly irresistible. The eggplants in oil give a rich and intense flavor, the cherry tomatoes add a sweet note, and the cooked beef provides the right savoriness.
For a vegetarian version, you can omit the cooked beef.
Try this recipe and you won’t regret it!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 5 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Grill
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Energy 495.50 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 64.80 (g) of which sugars 10.67 (g)
- Proteins 32.05 (g)
- Fat 11.27 (g) of which saturated 0.27 (g)of which unsaturated 2.20 (g)
- Fibers 5.40 (g)
- Sodium 1,101.08 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 230 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
- 4 slices rustic bread
- 7 oz eggplants in oil
- 7 oz smoked beef
- 20 cherry tomatoes
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
Tools
- 1 Grill
Steps
To make the crostini with eggplants in oil, cherry tomatoes, and cooked beef, it’s advisable to use rustic bread slices or, if possible, a good artisan loaf. The result will be tastier. Rustic bread or artisan loaf has a crunchier and more aromatic consistency than industrial bread. This gives the crostini a more intense and pleasant flavor. Moreover, rustic bread or artisan loaf is often made with more genuine ingredients, such as durum wheat and natural yeast. This contributes to an even richer and more flavorful taste.
Then, melt a pat of butter in a pan over medium heat. The butter will give the crostini a richer flavor and a softer consistency. Add the bread slices to the pan and roast them for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden and crispy.
It’s important not to overcook the bread, otherwise, it will become dry and hard.
Meanwhile, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and season with oil and salt. Cherry tomatoes are a variety of small and sweet tomatoes that are well-suited for this type of recipe. With their fresh and tangy flavor, they balance the intense taste of the eggplants and cooked beef. You can also season the tomatoes with other spices, such as oregano, basil, or chili.
When the bread slices are ready, start topping them with cherry tomatoes, eggplants in oil, and cooked beef. Place a slice of bread on a plate and add some cherry tomatoes, eggplants in oil, and cooked beef. Repeat the operation with the other slices of bread
The crostini are ready. Serve them hot and let yourself be conquered by their unique flavor! Enjoy from DadCook!
Here are some tips for preparing crostini with eggplants in oil, cherry tomatoes, and cooked beef:
Use stale or toasted bread to achieve crisper crostini. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters, depending on their size. Season the tomatoes with oil, salt, and pepper to taste. You can add other spices to the tomatoes, such as oregano, basil, or chili. If you prefer, you can use sliced or cubed cooked beef. Serve the crostini hot and enjoy immediately!
Here are some additional tips:
For an extra touch, you can add a sprinkle of grated cheese to the crostini. You can also add some arugula or fresh basil. If you don’t have eggplants in oil, you can use grilled or fried eggplants.
For an extra touch, you can add a sprinkle of grated cheese to the crostini. You can also add some arugula or fresh basil. If you don’t have eggplants in oil, you can use grilled or fried eggplants.
Wine and Beer Pairing
Wine:
The crostini with eggplants in oil, cherry tomatoes, and cooked beef is a dish with rich and complex flavors. The wine to pair with it must be able to balance the flavors of the dish without overpowering them. A good choice is a light or medium red wine with moderate tannins. An example is a table red from the Veneto region, such as a Bardolino or a Valpolicella. Another option is a rosé, which offers a good balance between freshness and structure.
Beer:
If you prefer beer, an excellent choice is a red beer with a good body and a toasted malt aroma. An example is a craft red beer, like a Belgian Dubbel or a Brown Ale. Another option is an IPA beer, which offers a good balance between hops and malt. An example is an American IPA beer, like a West Coast IPA or a New England IPA.
Specific Tips: If you have the chance to choose among different beers, I recommend trying a craft red beer with a touch of fruit. The fruity taste of the beer pairs well with the fresh flavor of the cherry tomatoes.
La Buttiga Brewery: La Buttiga Rossa with Prunes is a craft red beer with prunes. The taste of prunes is fresh and fruity, with a touch of acidity. The beer has a medium body and a bitter finish.
Lambrate Brewery:
Lambrate Brewery is one of the most famous craft breweries in Italy. It produces a wide range of beers, both classic and experimental. For crostini with eggplants in oil, cherry tomatoes, and cooked beef, I recommend a red beer with a touch of fruit. The fruity taste of the beer pairs well with the fresh flavor of the cherry tomatoes.
Lambrate Cherry is a craft red beer with cherries. The taste of cherries is fresh and fruity, with a touch of acidity. The beer has a medium body and a bitter finish. Lambrate Red is a classic craft red beer. The taste is rich and complex, with notes of toasted malt and dried fruit. The beer has a full body and a bitter finish.
Final Tips: The choice of beer depends on your personal taste. If you are looking for a beer that pairs well with the flavor of the crostini, I recommend trying a red beer with a touch of fruit. If you prefer a beer with a stronger flavor, you can try an IPA beer. In this case, I recommend choosing an IPA beer with a light body, so it doesn’t overpower the flavor of the crostini.
