Delicious Easy Appetizer: Green Olive & Artichoke Crostini

 

Every once in a while we'll have guests over for an Italian feast, and we always want to be sure that everyone will leave full. Serving a tasty appetizer is an easy way to do that. The perfect appetizer takes just a few minutes to prepare, so that you can focus on the rest of your preparation, yet is hearty, and full of flavor, so your guests will think you spent hours slaving away.

These green olive and artichoke crostini fit the bill perfectly. They're so flavorful, yet require virtually no cooking or preparation time. You simply throw everything into a food processor, toast the crostini, and plate. The olive gives you salty satisfaction while the artichoke is smooth and delicious. Whip these up for your next party and watch as your guests devour them all.

Making the Dish
What You'll Need

1 cup green olives, pitted
1 can artichoke hearts, drained
1 tbsp capers, drained (optional, but recommended)
1/4 cup grated pecorino romano
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, whole
1/4 cup olive oil
1 baguette, cut into 1/4 in thick slices

In a food processor, combine the olives, artichoke hearts, capers, pecorino, and garlic. Pulse a few times, and then start to drizzle in the olive oil, pulsing continuously, until a nice smooth  yet still slightly chunky mixture has formed.

Taste it, and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Lay out the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them or put them under the broiler for a few minutes, toasting each side until crispy.

Let the pieces cool slightly, and when warm enough to handle, take the remaining whole garlic piece, and rub it against the top of each piece. You're basically rubbing the garlic into the crispy bread. This will give you a very nice garlic-y flavor. You may need to use more than one clove of garlic depending on how much bread you have, but try not to put too much garlic on each crostini - it is very intense!

Spoon a portion of the olive and artichoke mixture onto each crostini. Drizzle extra olive oil over top if desired, although not necessary, and serve! Watch as your guests devour!

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