Pizza Crostini

By Diana Rattray

Pizza Crostini

Photo of Pizza Crostini © Diana Rattray

These tasty crostini appetizers are easy to prepare and bake, and they make a nice party snack. Feel free to vary the toppings on the crostini; omit the onion or use bell pepper or sausage in place of the pepperoni. If you have garlic flavored olive oil, omit the garlic halves.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: Makes About 2 Dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced about 1/2-inch thick
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 2 plum tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped pepperoni
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
• 1 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or about 1 teaspoon dried leaf basil

Preparation:

Heat oven to 375°. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet. Brush each slice with olive oil and rub with garlic halves.

Combine the finely chopped tomato, pepperoni, and onion. Sprinkle the tomato mixture onto each slice. Top with a few slices of olive and sprinkle with basil. Top with mozzarella cheese. If the cheese shreds are large, chop a bit.

Bake for about 10 minutes, until hot and cheese has melted.

Makes 24 to 36 crostini