Crostini - buffalo mozzarella and chilli Recipe

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This Crostini with Buffalo Mozzarella and Chilli is a creamy and spicy recipe, which is made with fresh buffalo mozzarella and a kick of red chilli. It’s the perfect party food, a quick and easy appetizer that’s ready in about 15 minutes.

Crostini – buffalo mozzarella and chilli Ingredients

A simple, high-impact combination for the perfect Italian appetizer.

For the Crostini Base:

4-6 thick slices of ciabatta or sourdough bread
1 clove of garlic, peeled and cut in half
Good-quality extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt

For the Topping:

3 x 150g balls of buffalo mozzarella
1 fresh red chilli
A few sprigs of fresh basil
Freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Crostini – buffalo mozzarella and chilli

A step-by-step guide to this quick, elegant, and flavorful appetizer.

Toast the Bread: Heat a griddle pan or a barbecue to a high heat. Grill the bread slices for 1-2 minutes per side, until they are crisp and have beautiful char marks.
Prepare the Base: While the slices are still hot, rub them gently with the cut side of the garlic clove. Drizzle generously with good-quality extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with a tiny pinch of sea salt.
Assemble the Topping: Tear the balls of buffalo mozzarella into quarters. Place a quarter of mozzarella on each hot crostini.
Garnish and Serve: Deseed and finely chop the red chilli, then sprinkle it over the mozzarella. Season with a little more salt and freshly ground black pepper. Finish with a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few fresh basil leaves torn over the top. Serve immediately.

Crostini - buffalo mozzarella and chilli Recipe — Crostini – buffalo mozzarella and chilli Recipe

Recipe Tips

For the most delicious and perfectly textured bruschetta.

How to get the best flavor? The quality of the ingredients is everything in this simple recipe. Use the best, creamiest buffalo mozzarella you can find, a good-quality crusty bread, and a fruity, flavorful extra virgin olive oil.
How can I control the spice level? The heat comes from the fresh red chilli. For a milder flavor, make sure you remove all the white seeds and membranes from the inside of the chilli before you finely chop it. For a bigger kick, leave some of the seeds in.
Can I make this ahead of time? This appetizer is at its absolute best when assembled and served immediately, while the bread is still warm and crisp. If you need to prep ahead, you can chop the chilli and have the basil ready, but always toast the bread and assemble the crostini just before serving.
Why rub the bread with raw garlic? This is a classic Italian trick. The hot, abrasive surface of the toasted bread acts like a grater, scraping off just enough of the raw garlic to impart its pungent, fragrant flavor without any actual pieces of raw garlic.

What To Serve With Crostini

Simple accompaniments for this fresh and light dish.

This delicious crostini is a perfect appetizer to start a meal or to serve at a party. It pairs wonderfully with:

A glass of crisp, cold Prosecco or a light Italian white wine
As part of a larger antipasto platter with cured meats, olives, and other roasted vegetables
A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette

How To Store Crostini

This dish is best enjoyed immediately.

Best Eaten Fresh: Crostini are all about the contrast between the crisp, warm toast and the cool, creamy topping. They should always be assembled and eaten right away. Leftover assembled crostini will become soggy and are not recommended for storage.

Crostini – buffalo mozzarella and chilli Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per slice.

Calories: 250 kcal
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 16 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What’s the difference between buffalo mozzarella and regular mozzarella?

Buffalo mozzarella (Mozzarella di Bufala) is made from the milk of the water buffalo. It is much creamier, softer, and has a more complex, tangy flavor than standard mozzarella, which is made from cow’s milk. For a simple topping like this, it’s worth seeking out.

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

If you can’t find buffalo mozzarella, a fresh, high-quality cow’s milk mozzarella will still be delicious. For an even creamier, more decadent version, you could use fresh burrata.

Can I add other toppings?

Yes! A thin slice of high-quality prosciutto or a drizzle of balsamic glaze would be a fantastic addition to this crostini, complementing the creamy cheese and spicy chilli.

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