Sometimes it’s the simplest things in life that are the best.
Take this crostini, for example. A loaf of bread, thinly sliced Genoa salami, a chunk of cheese, a handful of nuts and a drizzle of honey. Does it get any simpler?
I mean, who doesn’t want simple on a Friday night? I know I do. Dom does.
Fruity wine. Inspired conversation. Good food.
Crostini with Salami, Pecorino, Walnuts and Honey good food.
It’s all right here.
This is shaping up to be a wonderful Friday night.
This combination of flavors holds a very special place in my heart. The second time Dom and I visited Italy, almost two years ago, now, we were delighted to foodie experiences that captured our hearts forever. I have since reminisced about our cooking class and food tour and recreated some of the many wonderful dishes we cherished, like gnocchi and arancini, and much like these, today’s recipe is rooted in a fond memory from this trip…
We finally made it to our hotel room, after what felt like a scene straight out of Planes, Trains and Automobiles (…will share that precious memory in a future post.) and all we could think about was room service. It was a long trip and although very delicious, the Biscoff cookies we enjoyed on the flight were no longer holding us over. We were ravenous. So upon entering our room, we made a call and the rest, as they say, is history. I tell you what, we could have ordered filet mignon and caviar and wouldn’t have been nearly as happy and satisfied as we were with our antipasti which included champagne and all sorts of Italian treats like crusty bread, hard salami, sharp Italian cheeses, fruits and honey.
This first meal kicked off the foodie aspect of our trip in the most perfect way.
I’m not sure it gets any easier than crostini. This recipe calls for slicing a skinny baguette into half inch slices then topping each piece with thinly sliced Genoa salami (to fit the bread), thin shavings of Pecorino Romano cheese (which I used a vegetable peeler to do) and walnuts, running them under the broiler for a couple minutes until the cheese is melted, then drizzling sweet honey over top.
Pair these beautiful crostini with a sweet red, some good conversation, and call it the weekend, my friends…
Buon Appetito!
- 1 skinny baguette cut in ½ inch slices
- 4 pieces of Genoa Salami cut in quarters
- 16 slim slices of Pecorino Romano cheese
- ½ cup walnut pieces
- honey to drizzle
- Preheat the broiler.
- On slices of baguette layer ingredients in the following order, a slice of salami, a slice of cheese and a sprinkle of walnuts.
- Run under the broiler for a couple minutes until cheese is slightly melted.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with honey.
- Serve immediately.
Ciao!
Absolutely wonderful! These are like little mini pizzas but of the most luxurious kind .. and yet, as you say, they are so so simple.
Totally my kind of little pre-dinner snack, Annie!
Yes! Luxurious mini pizzas….you may be on to something!! Thanks, dear! 🙂
I love hearing about your trips to Italy, I can’t wait to go myself – I may just stay to eat my way through life!
Oh man….can I come? I like the way you think, my friend! 🙂
What great memories you and Dom have made in Italy. My hubby lived there for a short period but I have never been (it’s on the list though). Salami, pecorino, honey. . .what could be more perfect? And not just for Friday nights! I can see the hubby and I noshing on this (with a glass of wine of course) before any dinner. It’s such a nice precursor.
Thank you, dear! Your hubby lived there? Oh my! I’m so glad it’s on your list…I have memories from our trips to Italy that sneak up on me and remind me of why I love it so much! It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Oh yes – this would be a perfect little nosh while dinner’s in the oven…Enjoy!
This looks so good. I love the addition of the honey -I bet the sweetness goes really well with the saltiness of the salami.
Thanks, Dannii! You’re exactly right – the honey is a perfect complement to the salami!
I agree with you; simple dishes are sometimes the most comforting and wonderfully satisfying. This crostini would make the perfect appetizer for a wine night with my girlfriends. Usually in March, I invite all of my friends over for girl gossip and wine. I know they would love this dish. Some of my friends don’t eat meat, but this would be delicious with just the cheese, honey, and nuts…maybe even add a fig jam!
That sounds like a fun night! This appetizer would be perfect, and of course, your non-meat eating friends will still get to enjoy this savory treat. And thanks for the idea about the fig jam….I actually have some blueberry fig jam in the refrigerator. If you’re interested in that recipe – you can search it on my blog! Thanks, Erin!!
This crostini makes such an elegant appetizer. I’m so boring, just throw chips and dip out. Clearly I need to do better, walnuts are the best. And I’ve read they actually cut down on belly fat!
Bring on the walnuts!!! Believe me, I have my fair share of chip ‘n dip nights! Thanks, Laura!
This looks so delicious! I love that you added a drizzle of honey. Perfect for Monday, Tuesday and all the way to Friday 🙂
Hahah! You are absolutely right! Thanks, Maya!!
This is the perfect crostini recipe! I love the salami and pecorino – so incredibly tasty! Trying this combo soon – always have these ingredients in! Thanks for sharing, Annie! 😀
Don’t you love when you have everything you need when a craving hits? Enjoy, my dear!
Totally agree, simple is often the best! I often love to snack on Genoa salami and cheese, but have never tried adding honey and walnuts – I love that! A simple addition, but I bet it makes an incredible difference! I could easily eat an entire plate of these.
Oh yeah…the honey and walnuts take it to a whole new level! Thanks, Kathleen!
I think you’ve described my ideal Friday night! These crostini sound incredible – what a mix of flavors! Simple ingredients that come together to make something that seems so fancy (and tasty!)
Thanks, Alyssa! This is my kind of “cooking” for a Friday night!
This crostini looks beautiful! What a great hors d’oeuvre idea 🙂
Simple and delicious….Thank you, Medha!
Walnuts and cheese make such an excellent combination (I’m still recalling that blissful pasta dish of yours), and I love the addition of honey here. You’re proving that a quick, easy dinner can be fabulous and gourmet, and we all deserve that. Have a great weekend, Annie!
Thanks, Andrea! The addition of the honey adds just the right sweetness and elegance to the savory flavors.
You are speakin my language!!
Well that is music to my ears!! Thanks, Trish!
I love a simple Friday night finger food dinner, but mine never look this pretty! I just throw everything on a big cutting board. LOL Your photos are breathtaking!
Haha! I hear you! You should see the kitchen behind the pictures…oh my!! Thank you so much, my friend! Cheers!
Before I even looked at the photo, I knew this was one I wanted to scoff down an entire plate of. You have an awesome knack for flavour combos that are sooooo perfect. Crostinis made interesting! My only disappointment is that I am in fact in front of a computer screen and they aren’t actually in front of me. 🙂 PS I love that stone platter you’ve used. Adds so much interest to the pic! 🙂
Gosh…when are we going to get together so we can once and for all devour each other’s dishes?! Thank you, my dear!!
Hey Ann, this would make a great summertime appetizer too…with Sangria! Let’s do it!
Done! Done! Done! Okay – now I’ll be counting the minutes, my friend!
Yum, that does look like the perfect Friday meal! I love that kind of meal on the weekends!
Right? Who doesn’t want fun food on Friday? We’ve earned it!! Thanks, Stacey!
I totally agree – the simples things are the best! These crostini are perfect for a friday night, with a glass of wine of course!
Nothing better! Here’s to lots of crostini on a Friday night! And sweet red wine! Thanks, friend!! Salute!
Annie, I couldn’t agree more!!! Sometimes it’s the simplest things in life that are the best!!! Although, simple is not the word I would use for this crostini. . how about elegant and delicious? and YES to this on a Friday night with wine!! I’m in!!! Happy weekend!
Awh! I like that better – elegant and delicious!! Thanks, dear! Cheers!
Crostinis are perfect for a Friday night! I love the salami and walnuts on these cuties! Looks perfect, Annie!
Thanks, Gayle! I love simple finger food for Friday nights!