Description
Rustic cold asparagus crostini brings Italian countryside charm to simple summer entertaining. Crisp baguette slices topped with herbed goat cheese and tender asparagus spears promise delightful flavors you’ll savor at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 oz (113 g) smoked salmon
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
- 2–3 slices thin-sliced rye bread
- 3 tbsps minced red onion
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill
- 2–3 tsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Additional dill sprigs
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F, positioning rack in center for optimal toasting of bread squares.
- Bread Transformation: Trim bread slices into precise, uniform squares, ensuring clean edges and consistent sizing for elegant presentation.
- Toasting Process: Arrange bread pieces on baking tray, rotating midway to achieve uniform golden-brown crispness on both surfaces.
- Flavor Components: Finely dice red onion and chop fresh dill, preparing aromatic garnish elements with precision.
- Cream Cheese Fusion: Blend cream cheese with minced dill, diced red onion, and lemon juice, creating a harmonious, velvety mixture that balances tangy and herbaceous notes.
- Seasoning Refinement: Enhance cream cheese mixture with judicious salt and pepper, allowing flavors to meld and develop depth.
- Assembly Technique: Generously spread herbed cream cheese across crisp bread squares, establishing a luxurious flavor foundation.
- Salmon Artistry: Craft delicate salmon roses by elegantly rolling smoked salmon strips, positioning them gracefully atop cream cheese layer.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with remaining red onion fragments and miniature dill sprigs, adding visual intrigue and flavor complexity.
- Serving Recommendation: Present immediately or briefly refrigerate to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategically: Combine cream cheese mixture up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator.
- Master Salmon Rolling: Use thin, high-quality smoked salmon slices and gently roll from one narrow end to create elegant, uniform roses without tearing.
- Maintain Crunch Carefully: Toast bread squares just before assembly to prevent soggy texture, ensuring crisp foundation remains intact during serving.
- Temperature Matters: Serve slightly chilled for optimal flavor balance, keeping appetizers cool and cream cheese firm for pristine presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg