Mushroom Crostini with Cream Cheese

Bruschetta has to be my favorite kind of antipasti! Its easy to make with simple flavors and when made with fresh ingredients - is probably one of the best things that you can put in your mouth.

Its my love for the bread and mushrooms that come together to form this recipe. I used a few different kinds of mushrooms in this recipe but it can totally be done with the regular button mushrooms or baby bella. However using different kind of mushrooms gives a good variation in the flavors. I sauteed the mushrooms with some olive oil, salt & pepper. You can add some herbs in the mushrooms if you like but I wanted to keep the flavors rather simple while sauteing the mushrooms as this recipe gets a lot of flavor from the balsamic drizzle.

Use a crusty bread for this recipe or a baguette slightly toasted. Its a simple recipe that can be put together fairly quickly without any preparations - as long as you have the ingredients in you fridge. You can make this recipe vegan by skipping the cream cheese or substituting it by a vegan spread and by replacing the honey with agave.

serving about 5 to 6 crostini

cooking time 30 minutes

Things you will need:

4 cups a mixed variety of mushrooms

2 tbsp olive oil

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp honey

salt & pepper

plain cream cheese to smear

a crusty baguette - sliced

a few chives for garnish

1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large pan. Add garlic and saute for a few seconds - till it starts releasing a nice aroma.
2. Add the sliced mushrooms and stir till the slices are coated with oil evenly. Let the mushrooms cook (stirring occasionally, uncovered) till all the water evaporates and they start browning.
3. While the mushrooms cook, in a small bowl add 1 tbsp olive oil, balsamic, mustard, honey some salt and pepper and mix well to form the dressing. Keep aside.
4. Once the mushrooms are cooked and turn slightly brown, season them with some salt and pepper. Turn the heat off and keep uncovered.
5. Toast the sliced bread.
6. Smear a generous amount of cream cheese on to the toasted bread.
7. Spoon some mushrooms on it and drizzle the dressing on the crostinis.
8. Garnish with chives and serve right away.

Other Bruschetta Recipes:

Roasted Pepper Crostini
Bruschetta