Crostini Al Mascarpone

American in Paris's Note:

This is a recipe I learned from a group of Italian women from the Tuscany region of Italy. They teach cooking classes under the name "Tutti-a-Tavola". This is one of my favorite appetizers to make on the run and is always a hit with guests. You can make up the cheese spread ahead of time and will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator. Try to find a french baguette that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 ½ cups mascarpone cheese
• ¼-½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (to taste)
• 3 pinches marjoram (to taste)
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)
• 1 -2 French baguette

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Mix cheeses and add marjoram. Salt and pepper to taste.
3. Slice baguette in thin (about 1/2 inch) slices.
4. Spread cheese mixture on slices.
5. Place prepared slices on a baking sheet and put sheet into preheated oven.
6. Bake for a few minutes until hot an bubbly. Watch closely--don't let the bread get too brown.
7. Bon Appétit!

Reviews

[Bobbie]

WONDERFUL -- in capitals (because they are delicious and SO easy to make). I used fresh marjoram -- not sure how much, but enough to make sure it shined through in the cheese spread. I put some together and froze them. I'm anxious to see how they bake up. Five more stars if they come out as great as the "fresh" ones. This is a wonderful appetizer and one that I will be making many times over.

[French Tart]

Absolutely fabulous! A great recipe that I whipped up easily for lunch today......I seved this with soup and used a sliced French boule loaf instead of baguette. I reduced the quantities for the two of us and loved the addition of the parmesan to the mascarpone cheese spread - I also garnished the plate of crostini with flowering oregano. Made for PAC 2008 Autumn and Oregano Herb of the Month in the Gardening Forum. Merci encore! FT:-)

[Pink Princess]

This was a great appetizer for our dinner party last night. Scrumptious and so easy to make.