Description
Festive holiday cheer comes alive with Christmas Crostini with Smoked Salmon, a delightful appetizer that blends elegant flavors and seasonal charm. Crisp baguette slices topped with creamy spread, delicate salmon, and fresh herbs promise to elevate your gathering with sophisticated Mediterranean-inspired delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1 inch (2.54 cm) pieces
- 4 ounces (113 grams) smoked salmon, sliced
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- Fresh dill or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring even spacing for uniform toasting.
- Bake the baguette slices for 8-10 minutes until they transform into crispy, golden-edged crostini with a satisfying crunch.
- Create a luxurious spread by blending softened cream cheese and vibrant pesto in a mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Generously coat each toasted crostini with the cream cheese and pesto blend, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge.
- Delicately place a folded slice of smoked salmon atop each prepared crostini, allowing the fish to drape elegantly over the creamy base.
- Enhance the appetizer with a light, bright drizzle of fresh lemon juice, which will add a zesty note and complement the rich salmon.
- Scatter vibrant pomegranate seeds across the crostini, providing bursts of color and tangy sweetness to the appetizer.
- Garnish with delicate sprigs of fresh dill or parsley, adding a touch of herbal freshness and visual appeal.
- Season the crostini with a whisper of salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Serve these festive appetizers immediately while the crostini remain crisp and the toppings are at their peak freshness.
Notes
- Choose a crusty, high-quality baguette for the best texture and crunch when toasting the slices.
- Mix cream cheese and pesto at room temperature to ensure smooth, easy blending without lumps.
- Use fresh, cold-smoked salmon for the most delicate flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Adjust lemon juice amount based on personal taste, adding just enough to brighten the salmon without overpowering other flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg