Crostini with Roasted Vegetable Spread and Havarti

I'm one of those people who has no problem eating the same food over and over again. So long as it's something I like, I'm totally down with leftovers...two, three, even four days in a row! I get that not everyone is that way, however, but I'm going to offer you the best of both worlds today. I'm obsessed with this roasted vegetable puree. It's easy to make (especially if you have a food processor), makes a huge batch, and is healthy to boot! I was first introduced to it earlier this year when we visited our besties Katie and Matt in New York. Katie went above and beyond her hostess duties and prepared an array of foods for us throughout our visit, this spread being my favorite. We mostly used it on sandwiches (highly recommend it with melty cheddar and avocado!), but by the time we were headed home I was dreaming up all sorts of ways to use it.

The spread has proven as versatile as I had hoped. It's excellent inside an omelet, divine as a pizza crust, and as you see here, the perfect topping for crostini. Appetizers don't get much easier than this. Slice & toast bread, top bread with the roasted veggie spread & cheese, and bake til warm and melted. I stuck with Castello's Aged Havarti, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite cheese. Much like the roasted vegetable spread its paired with here, havarti is totally multifunctional. I've broken away from always using mozzarella on pizza and find the buttery havarti adds a unique flavor element. I love what the cheese does when pressed inside two pieces of bread in my panini press. Of course it goes without saying that I don't mind it sliced and eaten with crackers, salami, and wine!

Even if I don't mind eating the same foods time and time again, you don't have to! Whip up some vegetable spread, pick up some havarti, and let creativity fly free!

Crostini with Roasted Vegetable Spread and Havarti
Ingredients:
-1 medium eggplant
-2 red bell peppers, seeded
-1 red onion, peeled
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-3 tbsp olive oil
-1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
-1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
-1 tbsp tomato paste
-1 baguette, thinly sliced
-4 oz shredded Havarti

Directions:
1. To make the roasted vegetable spread, preheat oven to 400F. Cut the eggplant, bell peppers, and onion into 1-inch pieces. Toss with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes, until vegetables are lightly browned and soft (toss once during cooking).
2. Allow vegetables to cool slightly before pulsing in a food processor with tomato paste, pulsing to blend to desired level of smoothness. Season with salt and pepper, as needed. *Roasted vegetable spread can be made several days ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
3. To make the crostini, line a baking sheet with foil. Place sliced bread on prepared baking sheet and bake at 400F for 10-12 minutes, until golden and toasted. Remove from oven and top each with roasted vegetable spread. Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven for 3-5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

spread from Ina Garten, crostini an original recipe

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

Crostini with Roasted Vegetable Spread and Havarti