Grilled Nectarine Crostini with Raspberry Balsamic

Grilled Nectarine Crostini With Raspberry Balsamic

Another variation of the versatile crostini, with an explosion of flavour. Sweet and savoury and a colourful addition to your menu, lift your entertaining game by creating these succulent bites.

This canapé combines toasted sourdough slices, slathered with cream cheese (or burrata) and topped with grilled nectarine for a natural sweetness, blackberry, basil and a raspberry balsamic drizzled on top.

Complementing this, the burst of blackberry, the aromatic essence of basil, and the subtle tanginess of raspberry balsamic come together to create a harmony of taste.

A gorgeous taste combination, try these Grilled Nectarine Crostini with Raspberry Balsamic today.

Your social event will become the talk of the town.

Create an artful presentation that is sure to catch the eye.

Cost effective, quick to assemble & a practical choice for any social event, these easy appetisers will definitely attract the majority vote.

Witness the magic unfold as these canapés become the centrepiece of your social gatherings.

When we think of party food, we often think of savoury & fruit is regularly underrated, except for grazing boards or platters, but incorporating fruit into canapés can truly offer another level of flavour to your menu.

Of course pairing with the right wines is key to enhancing the enjoyment of flavours on the palate.

Grilled Nectarine Crostini With Raspberry Balsamic

(Serves 12 Prep 20mins)

You will need:

• Sourdough Rolls: These artisan bread rolls are characterised by their tangy flavour and chewy texture, owing to the fermentation process of the sourdough starter used in their preparation. You could alternatively use a French stick. Just make sure the bread is day old.
• Cream Cheese/Burrata: Cream cheese is what I have used here as it was available at home at the time but Burrata would be equally delicious. Cream cheese being more creamy & smooth and the burrata being creamy and oozy both would enhance the dish. Both cream cheese and burrata lend a luxurious creaminess to recipes, complementing the other flavours and textures.
• Nectarines: I have used firm ripe nectarines & grilled them to enhance their natural sweetness.
• Basil Leaves: Basil has a sweet, peppery flavour and a subtle hint of licorice. It’s aromatic taste pairs well with the cheese, and fruit & it is one of my top 5 herbs.
• Fresh Blackberries: Blackberries are small, dark purple berries known for their sweet-tart flavour and juicy texture. They can be cooked down or used raw. I think for me it comes down to texture and I prefer them raw in this instance.
• Raspberry Balsamic: Raspberry balsamic vinegar is a flavoured balsamic vinegar infused with the essence of ripe raspberries. It was such a find. I actually stumbled across it at the supermarket and it adds an amazing sweet, tangy twist to salads or appetisers & ties these ingredients together beautifully…must try!

Instructions:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to a 180 degrees Celsius (fan forced)
2. Next, grab the sourdough rolls and slice them on the diagonal, creating even slices approximately 1 inch thick. Lay them out on a baking sheet.
3. Lightly Spray the slices with Olive Oil- lightly is the key as you don’t want them to be greasy and soggy.
4. Slide the prepared sourdough slices into the preheated oven baking them for 7 minutes. They should be a golden hue and crispy- allow to cool while you prepare the toppings.
5. Now, turn your attention to the star of the show—the nectarine. Slice it into 8 segments, carefully removing the seed (grilling will enhance the natural sweetness) you can use a grill pan, bbq or regular pan.
6. Heat a small pan on medium-high & generously coat the surface with a spray of olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the nectarine pieces to the pan, allowing them to brown on both sides until they achieve a light caramelisation. Once achieved, remove the nectarine pieces from the pan.
7. Assemble your culinary masterpiece by spreading each crostini piece generously with the luscious cream cheese, creating a velvety foundation for the remaining ingredients.
8. Now, arrange all the components – place a succulent piece of caramelised nectarine across one end of the cream cheese-coated crostini. Place a plump blackberry alongside the nectarine, introducing a burst of juicy & tangy sweetness.
9. For a fragrant touch, add a fresh basil leaf to the ensemble, its aromatic notes harmonising with the fruity and creamy elements. To crown this masterpiece, generously drizzle the Raspberry Balsamic over the top, creating a visually enticing and flavour-packed finale. Prepared in 20mins, giving you plenty of time to prepare the next appetiser.
10. And there you have it—your flavour bomb is ready to be served. Present these elegantly crafted Grilled Nectarine Crostini with Raspberry Balsamic to your guests, and watch as their senses are ignited with each decadent bite. Serve, share, and relish in the joy of creating a gourmet experience that will undoubtedly be remembered and cherished. Give it a try. Enjoy!

Grilled Nectarine Crostini With Raspberry Balsamic

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 20mins)

Ingredients

• 3 Sourdough Rolls
• spray Olive oil
• 125gm Cream Cheese
• 1 -2 Yellow Nectarines
• 1 punnet Blackberries
• 12 Medium sized Basil Leaves
• ¼ Cup Raspberry Balsamic

Method

1. Turn oven on to 180 C (fan forced)
2. Slice sourdough rolls on the diagonal to create slices 1 inch thick*
3. Bake for 7mins
4. Remove from oven and let cool
5. Slice nectarine into 8 and remove seed
6. Heat a small pan on med high & spray with olive oil
7. Put the nectarine pieces in the hot pan and brown both sides to caramelise
8. Remove nectarine pieces from the pan
9. Spread each crostini piece with a generous amount of cream cheese
10. Place a piece of nectarine across 1 end
11. Place a whole blackberry next to nectarine
12. Add basil leaf
13. Drizzle raspberry balsamic on top
14. Serve & enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• I have used a grainy sourdough here but you could use any – a dark rye sourdough would be great too.

• My Bread slices are an inch thick but you could do 1/2 inch and bake for 5 mins instead of 7mins.

• Burrata would be an equally good cheese option as it is creamy in the middle.

• You can use normal balsamic but the raspberry one is perfect for this dish & readily available at Coles.

• When the nectarine is grilled, it lends itself to a light caramelisation which adds a sweetness.

• These ingredients are the perfect pairing but there are many alternatives.

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Sparkling Rosé: A dry sparkling rosé with its effervescence and crisp acidity can complement the sweetness of the nectarines and berries while cleansing the palate between bites.

Sauvignon Blanc: A crisp and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc can provide a refreshing contrast to the cream cheese and enhance the herbal notes of the basil. It adds a zesty element to the overall pairing.

Chardonnay: A lightly oaked Chardonnay can offer a touch of richness to complement the creaminess of the cheese, and its balanced acidity can harmonise with the fruity and tangy elements of the dish.

Pinot Noir: A light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir can work well with the grilled nectarines, providing a subtle earthiness that complements the caramelisation and adding a touch of red fruit flavour to the pairing.

Rosé: A dry rosé, particularly one with notes of red berries, can be an excellent choice. It bridges the gap between red and white wines, making it versatile enough to complement the various flavours in the crostini.

Spotlight

Blackberries

Despite being considered a bit of a pest due to its thorny nature, the blackberry shrub, a member of the rose family, proves its worth with the delicious fruit it bears. While navigating through its prickly exterior might be a challenge, the nutritional benefits make the effort worthwhile.

Blackberries stand out as a nutritional powerhouse, boasting significant amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. Packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Calcium, and fiber, these berries contribute to a well-rounded and healthful diet.

The high levels of antioxidants found in blackberries are particularly noteworthy, as they possess anti-inflammatory properties and may aid in combating diseases while also mitigating the effects of ageing.

For those mindful of their blood sugar levels, blackberries offer a low glycemic index, making them a favourable choice for individuals managing diabetes. The inclusion of powerful polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins, in blackberries further enhances their health-promoting properties.

These plant compounds act as protective agents, playing a crucial role in disease prevention. Notably, the rich purple colour of blackberries is attributed to these polyphenols, adding both aesthetic appeal and nutritional value to the fruit.

In addition to the well-known vitamins and antioxidants, blackberries contribute significantly to manganese intake. Manganese, often overlooked, is believed to play a vital role in supporting brain function. Therefore, by incorporating blackberries into one’s diet, not only do they enjoy a burst of flavour and a wealth of essential nutrients, but they may also be supporting cognitive health and overall well-being.