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Treat Guests to a Tasty Party Appetizer

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Beet & Blue Cheese Spread With Garlic Crostini

(Family Features) - For your next party, add something new to your repertoire of tried and true.  This quick, delicious - and trendy - spread is a welcome addition to any occasion.

The bold ingredient combination in Beet & Blue Cheese Spread with Garlic Crostini creates a taste explosion that's sure to wow guests.  This yummy, nutty, cheesy appetizer stars a colorful layer of chopped pickled beets accented with citrusy orange zest.  The garlic crostini adds a pleasant crunch.

Well-loved by chefs for their complex flavors, beets have become a stylish addition to starters, salads and sides on restaurant menus nationwide.  This spread features ready-to-use Aunt Nellie's pickled beets, a simple and tasty alternative to the hassles of starting from scratch, yet they still taste like homemade.  The result is this show-stopper nibble that's ready in about 30 minutes.

Serve the spread alone with assorted olives and mixed nuts at a cocktail party, or add it to a buffet at a friend's party.  Either way, this trendy party appetizer is sure to steal the show!

Visit www.senecafoods.com to learn more.

Beet & Blue Cheese Spread With Garlic Crostini

Ingredients
  • 1 loaf French bread (about 14 inches long), cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, cut in half
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
  • 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie's Sliced Pickled Beets, drained
  • 3/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese or 1 container (6 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation
    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray 11 x 7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Brush bread slices on both sides using 3 tablespoons olive oil. Place on two baking sheets. Bake 6 to 7 minutes or until toasted. Reserving 1 garlic clove, rub crostini with remaining garlic; sprinkle with cracked black pepper. Allow to cool.
    3. Place reserved garlic clove, orange peel and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in food processor. Pulse several times until garlic is finely chopped. Add beets and pulse until beets are chopped. Spread in baking dish. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola, Parmesan cheese and walnuts. Bake 10 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm with crostini.

Preparation and Cooking Time
30 minutes

Serves
Makes 12 appetizer servings

SOURCE: Aunt Nellie's Beets (Seneca Corporation)

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