artichoke, mushroom, and leek crostini with pesto

Alicia Silverstone Alicia Silverstone
posted Oct 26, 2010
Editorial
0
Attached Recipe Photo

Laura Linney and I cooked up some of my favorite recipes from The Kind Diet the other day for The Oprah Show. Of course I had to make this crostini dish! It's ridiculously good... Great to serve at your next party, or just to make for a nice dinner at home! The best part is that you can use the leftover pesto and artichoke spread for sandwiches and other meals long after the crostini have been eaten! I urge you to make these... And then let me know how much you love them!

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mirin
  • 2 teaspoons shoyu
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups thinly sliced leek
  • 2 cups sliced button mushrooms
  • 1 can whole, water-packed artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon umeboshi vinegar
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 3/4 cup raw pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons umeboshi vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 5 slices whole grain baguette
  • 1/2 cup Finely chopped flat leaf parsley

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  2. Combine the oil, vinegar, mirin, shoyu and 2 pinches of salt in a skillet over medium heat
  3. Add the garlic, leek, and mushrooms.
  4. Cover the pan and when you hear sizzling, gently shake the skillet, holding the lid in place.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and braise until the leek is quite tender and deeply browned (5-10 minutes).
  6. Remove the lid and allow any remaining liquid to cook off.
  7. Remove from heat and stir gently to combine.
  8. Blend the artichoke hearts, olive oil, and umeboshi vinegar in a food processor until smooth.
  9. Remove from the food processor and set aside.
  10. Blend the basil, pine nuts, lemon juice, umeboshi vinegar, and oil in the food processor until smooth.
  11. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  12. Brush the bread lightly with oil on both sides.
  13. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt.
  14. Bake until the bread is lightly browned and crispy at the edges.
  15. Spread the artichoke mixture on the bread, mound the leek mixture generously on top, and finish with a dollop of pesto and a sprinkle of parsley.
  16. Serve and enjoy!
  • cook time
    15 min.
  • prep time
    15 min.
  • yields
    2 serv.

Diet Categories:

  • Vegan

Ingredient Restrictions:

  • Sugar Free

Join the Discussion!

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  • Megan Walker
    Feb 18, 2013 at 5:18pm
    0 0
    It's like a little American, Asian, Italian treat mix! Delicious
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  • Tamra Kaczmarowski
    Jul 26, 2011 at 3:55pm
    0 0
    This has got to be the BEST appetizer I have ever had EVER!!! Even if you are not a vegan, it is excellent! I could eat them all day long! :)) Thanks Alicia!!
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  • Benita Struik
    Jul 13, 2011 at 11:39am
    0 0
    I made this for a group of friends the other night. Super easy to make and everyone loved it!!!! I will make this lots! Thanks
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  • Jennifer Melanson
    Jul 8, 2011 at 10:32am
    0 0
    This is a weekly family recipe, so delicious!
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  • Adriana Alba
    Dec 23, 2010 at 8:37pm
    0 0
    I have been wanting to make this dish for a few months now...since I watched this dish on Oprah. I made it tonite and all I can say is OMG! My nephew who is not a meat eater told me, "this is the best non-meat food I have ever had." That says a lot because he loves his beef.
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  • Jennifer Regan
    Dec 9, 2010 at 2:51pm
    0 0
    This is so good, I will be making it 3 times this holiday season!!!
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  • IslandChica
    Oct 29, 2010 at 6:51am
    0 0
    I made this for a "small plates" party where I was the only vegan. It was a monster hit! Sooo delicious!

    I would recommend at least doubling the leek mixture for a party because you will run out of that and have lots of the pesto and artichoke spread left.

    This is a "Hall of Fame" recipe in my book! :)
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