Emily Johnson
Mushroom crostini is a bite-sized appetizer with an enticing taste that combines the flavours of mushrooms, cheese, and herbs. It is a delightful dish that is easy to prepare and can be made in various ways. The crostini, which means little toasts in Italian, is a perfect appetizer for any get-together. The mushrooms are seasoned with a combination of earthy garlic, bright lemon, and fragrant herbs, and then served on crunchy mini toasts topped with a swipe of creamy cheese. The toast tastes the best when enjoyed within an hour of topping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Appetizer/hors d'oeuvre |
| Flavor | Earthy, tangy, savory, rich, dreamy |
| Texture | Crispy, crunchy, tender |
| Temperature | Warm, room temperature |
| Size | Bite-sized/two- to three-bite |
| Ingredients | Mushrooms, bread, olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, cheese, herbs, balsamic glaze/vinegar |
| Mushrooms | Wild, brown, white, dried porcini, crimini, shiitake, oyster, button, baby portobella, chanterelle |
| Cheese | Goat, cream, whipped feta, mascarpone, ricotta |
| Herbs | Chives, dill, basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, tarragon, sage, rosemary |
| Preparation | Roasted, sautéed, caramelized |
| Dietary Options | Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
How to make mushroom crostini
Mushroom crostini is a delightful appetizer that is easy to prepare and full of flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make this scrumptious dish.
Ingredients
For the crostini, you will need a baguette, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. For the topping, you will need mushrooms (a mix of brown, white, and dried porcini or wild mushrooms like oyster, chanterelle, and shiitake is recommended), butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and lemon. For the cheese spread, you will need soft goat cheese, cream cheese, whipped feta, or mascarpone, freshly chopped chives, onion, and garlic powder. You can also add fresh herbs like dill, basil, parsley, or oregano.
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the baguette into 1/4-inch thick slices on an angle. Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake the bread slices until they are crisp and lightly browned, but not completely dried out. This should take around 10 minutes.
Mushroom Topping
Clean the mushrooms with a brush or damp paper towel and slice them into pieces. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper to the skillet and sauté until the mushrooms are browned and tender. Add the garlic, lemon juice, and herbs (thyme, rosemary, or sage) to the skillet and continue cooking until fragrant. If using wild mushrooms, you can roast them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-14 minutes until lightly crisped.
Cheese Spread
In a bowl, mix the soft goat cheese with the desired herbs and spices. You can also add a small amount of brown sugar to the cheese mixture if you want a sweeter flavour profile.
Assembly
Spread a thin layer of the cheese spread on the toasted bread slices. Top with a spoonful of the mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with fresh thyme, lemon zest, and chopped chives, if desired. Drizzle with olive oil or balsamic glaze and serve immediately.
Tips
The crostini toasts can be made up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container. The mushroom filling can also be made a day in advance and warmed slightly before assembling. This recipe can easily be adapted for vegan or gluten-free diets by using vegan cheese and gluten-free bread. Enjoy your homemade mushroom crostini!
Dog owners beware: Mushroom allergy in dogs
You may want to see also
Types of mushrooms to use
Mushroom crostini is a delightful appetizer with an earthy flavor that your guests will love. It is easy to prepare and can be made in several ways.
The best mushrooms for crostini are a mixture of different types of mushrooms, which adds visual interest and a variety of flavors. You can use wild or cultivated mushrooms, or a combination of both. Some popular wild mushroom varieties include morels, chanterelle, oyster, and shiitake. Reliable button mushrooms are also a good option.
If you are using cultivated mushrooms, cremini, baby bella, and white mushrooms are great choices as they hold their shape well during cooking. You can also use dried porcini mushrooms to add a unique flavor to your crostini.
When selecting mushrooms, look for those that are fresh and firm. Clean the mushrooms with a mushroom brush or a damp paper towel before slicing them into pieces. You can also sauté the mushrooms before adding them to the crostini for extra flavor.
Additionally, consider experimenting with different combinations of mushrooms to find your favorite flavor profile for mushroom crostini.
Mushroom Stems: Healthy or Harmful?
You may want to see also
Types of cheese to use
Mushroom crostini is a delightful appetizer that is easy to prepare and full of flavour. It is made by topping toasted bread with a layer of cheese and mushrooms, and it can be served warm or at room temperature.
There are several types of cheese that pair well with the earthy flavour of mushrooms in a crostini. Here are some options:
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, or chevre, is a popular choice for mushroom crostini. It has a tangy and creamy flavour that complements the mushrooms nicely. Its spreadable texture makes it easy to use as a base layer on the toast. Goat cheese also creates a barrier, preventing the toast from becoming soggy.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese, either plain or flavoured, can be used as a substitute for goat cheese. It has a mild, creamy flavour that won't overpower the mushrooms. Its spreadable texture also makes it ideal for creating a smooth base layer.
Whipped Feta
Whipped feta offers a salty and tangy flavour that can enhance the taste of the mushrooms. Its light and airy texture makes it easy to spread on the crostini.
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a soft, creamy cheese with a rich and buttery flavour. It can be mixed with herbs such as rosemary, parsley, and basil to create a delicious herbed cheese layer for the crostini.
Ricotta
Ricotta is a mild and creamy cheese that pairs well with the earthy flavour of mushrooms. It is often used in wild mushroom crostini recipes, creating a savoury dish with rich layers of flavour.
When choosing a cheese for mushroom crostini, consider the desired flavour profile and texture. The cheese should complement the mushrooms without overwhelming their flavour. It should also have a spreadable texture that creates a nice base layer for the mushrooms to sit on top of.
Mushrooms: Saprophytes or Bacteria?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to prepare the mushrooms
To prepare the mushrooms for your crostini, you'll want to clean and slice them. You can use a mushroom brush or a damp paper towel to clean them before slicing them into pieces. You can use a sharp knife to slice them.
For the cooking process, you can either roast or sauté the mushrooms. If you're roasting them, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with foil and spray it lightly with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms with olive oil, salt, pepper, chopped garlic, and thyme. Spread the mushrooms out on the prepared pan and roast for 12-14 minutes, or until they begin to crisp at the edges.
If you're sautéing the mushrooms, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil and butter. When the butter has melted, add chopped shallots, sliced mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the mushrooms are browned and tender, then add garlic, lemon, and herbs. Continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant, then add lemon juice and stir.
You can use a variety of mushrooms, such as oyster, chanterelle, crimini, shiitake, white button, baby portobella, or wild mushrooms like morels. Using a mixture of mushrooms will add visual interest and flavour to your crostini.
Magic Mushrooms: Do Stems Contain Psilocybin?
You may want to see also
Serving suggestions
Mushroom crostini is a simple yet elegant hors d'oeuvre that can be served as a delicious appetizer at parties. It is best served warm or at room temperature, although it can also be served cold.
Preparation and Storage:
You can prepare the different components in advance and store them separately. The mushrooms and cheese should be refrigerated, while the toasts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The toasts can be made up to five days ahead of time and frozen for up to a month. Defrost them at room temperature before topping. The mushroom topping can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Assembly:
Assemble the crostini shortly before serving. You can prepare the crostini up to two hours ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to serve. Spread a thin layer of cheese on the crostini, then add the warm mushroom topping. Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper and chopped herbs like chives or parsley.
Variations:
You can experiment with different types of mushrooms, cheeses, and herbs to create a variety of flavour profiles. Try using a mixture of wild mushrooms, such as oyster, chanterelle, crimini, shiitake, or portobello, for a more intense earthy flavour. For the cheese, you can use goat cheese, ricotta, cream cheese, whipped feta, mascarpone, or any spreadable cheese like brie or Boursin. Add fresh herbs like basil, dill, or oregano to the cheese spread. If you prefer a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes.
Mushroom crostini is a versatile appetizer that can be served at various gatherings, from elegant dinner parties to large parties and special occasions. It pairs well with a glass of wine, such as a fuller-bodied Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, or barrel-aged Chardonnay. For beer drinkers, it goes great with a brown ale or porter.
Accompaniments:
You can serve mushroom crostini as part of a charcuterie board or alongside other appetizers, such as mini cheese tarts, garlic bread, or caprese salad bites. It can also be a tasty addition to a meal, topping grilled steak or sliced roasted chicken.
Mushroom Legality in Virginia: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mushroom crostini is a bite-sized appetizer or finger food. It is made with toasted bread, mushrooms, cheese, and herbs.
A baguette is typically used for crostini. The bread is sliced and toasted before being topped with the other ingredients.
You can use a variety of mushrooms, including wild mushrooms such as chanterelle, crimini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms, or more readily available mushrooms such as white button or baby portobella.
Goat cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use cream cheese, whipped feta, mascarpone, or ricotta.
