Makes 16
A sophisticated canapé to offer your guests on arrival. These are quick and easy to make and the crostinis can be made in advance.
Ingredients
- For the Crostini
- 1 white baguette
- olive oil, to drizzle (or flavoured oil if you prefer, e.g. basil oil, chilli oil, rosemary oil)
- For the Topping
- 150g / 2 oz strawberries
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- ground black pepper
- 75g / 3oz cream cheese
- 75g / 3oz Parma ham
- few chives to garnish
Method
1) Wipe the strawberries, remove the hulls and thickly slice. Place them in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the balsamic vinegar and sugar. Allow to marinate for 1 hour at room temperature then season with black pepper.
2) Preheat the oven to 180C / 350 F/ Gas 4.
3) Thinly slice the baguette and arrange the slices on a baking sheet
4) Drizzle with oil of your choice and place in the oven for 15 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden brown. Remove and cool on wire rack
5) Arrange the crostinis on a large serving plate. Top each with a little cream cheese, then a slice of parma ham.
6) Place a marinated strawberry slice on top and garnish with chives.
