Description
Crisp asparagus crostini brings Italian elegance to your appetizer spread. Delicate roasted asparagus spears rest on crusty bread, complemented by creamy ricotta and zesty lemon, creating a sophisticated starter you’ll adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 g) smoked salmon
- 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese
- 2–3 slices thin-sliced rye bread
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons minced red onion
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 2–3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Garnish:
- Additional dill sprigs
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a high temperature of 450°F, preparing a baking surface for crisp bread squares.
- Transform bread slices into uniform, bite-sized squares, trimming edges for a clean presentation.
- Arrange bread pieces on a baking tray, transforming them into golden, crunchy foundations through strategic toasting on both sides.
- Finely mince red onion and delicate fresh dill, creating aromatic garnish components.
- Manipulate cream cheese into a silky, malleable texture, incorporating minced dill, diced red onion, and citrusy lemon juice until harmoniously blended.
- Enhance the cream cheese mixture with nuanced seasoning, balancing salt and pepper. Consider chilling the mixture to intensify flavor complexity.
- Meticulously spread the herbed cream cheese across each crisp bread square, creating a luxurious foundation.
- Craft elegant salmon roses by delicately rolling smoked salmon strips, positioning them gracefully atop the cream cheese layer.
- Complete the appetizer by scattering remaining red onion fragments and tiny dill sprigs, adding visual and gustatory dimension.
- Serve immediately or preserve the canapés’ freshness by refrigerating briefly before presenting to guests.
Notes
- Prepare ahead by chopping ingredients and mixing cream cheese mixture to streamline assembly.
- Refrigerating the cream cheese blend intensifies the herb and citrus flavors, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Symmetrical bread squares ensure uniform, elegant presentation and consistent bite-sized portions.
- Create salmon roses carefully for an impressive, professional-looking appetizer that will wow guests.
- Room temperature cream cheese ensures smoother mixing and easier spreading on crisp toast squares.
- Serve chilled for best texture and to maintain the crispness of the toasted bread base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg