For more topping ideas, take a look at our Favourite Party Crostini 4 Ways. It never ceases to amaze me how the Italians turn the simplest ingredients into culinary triumphs. Mushrooms on toast is not a novel concept but somehow mushroom crostini appeals so much more, especially when eaten in Italy. Whenever I rate any food, enjoyed on holiday, I add an extra *star because the surroundings always make the eating experience much more enjoyable. However, that added bonus often disappears upon return. Not the case with these little beauties. They are just as delicious at home. The added star remains but not for the same reason. It comes from the ease of preparation and simplicity of the ingredients!
What are Crostini?
I have been in love with crostini for ages and this recipe is not the first one dedicated to them. I have shared various ideas on what to use as crostini toppings in the past. There are no hard and fast rules. Let your imagination and seasonal ingredients be your guide and inspiration. I am a huge mushroom fan, so using them as my crostini topping made sense. But I’ve also had fun pushing the limits, like with Chicken Caesar Crostini. But what is crostini anyway? The word itself is plural and refers to crusty bread slices, topped with savoury things, not unlike bruschetta. You are probably wondering what the difference is and I have as well. The main difference is the type of bread used. Bruschetta is made from fresh bread, that is toasted or grilled over fire, while crostini is made from dried bread. This is the best explanation our Italian friends gave us. My guess is crostini have been originally invented to repurpose stale bread just like Panzanella salad. While this may have been the origin, nowadays bruschetta and crostini are often used almost interchangeably and served as antipasti. Both are made using good quality crusty bread, which gets toasted for a delicious crispy exterior. You can use a baguette and slice it into thin rounds or you can use sourdough boule and cut larger slices in half. We’ve seen both used in restaurants in Italy.
Italian Inspired Mushroom Recipes
Pan Fried Garlic Mushrooms with Parmesan Creamy Tagliatelle with Bacon, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil Stuffed Mushrooms with Cream Cheese and Prosciutto Vegetarian Mushroom Bolognese
