Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Caprese Crostini

Capri, and the surrounding mainland and rocky coast are home to beautiful vistas and amazing food. This is a perfect start to a dinner party.

Ingredients

1 loaf Ciabatta bread, sliced 1/4” thick, about 16 slices
3 cups Roma tomatoes, small diced
2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp Fresh ground black pepper
6-8 each Large fresh basil leaves. chiffonade

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300.

To make the crostinis, place the sliced Ciabatta on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake until crispy, about 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. If you are doing this ahead of time, store at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Stack the basil leaves, roll them tight, and slice thin with a sharp knife (chiffonade). Combine with tomatoes, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.

Divide the mixture among the crostinis, about 3-4 Tbsp per crostini. Drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar as desired.

Recent Recipes

Pie Dough

This crust has been the base for countless savory pies over the years. The key is keeping the butter ice-cold and giving the dough enough time to rest in the refrigerator. For a little twist, add 1 tablespoon of freshly cracked black pepper or 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives to the flour mixture.

Read more

Denver Omelet Quiche

I love quiche. To me, it’s great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In the morning, it’s perfect with fresh fruit. At lunch or dinner, it pairs well with a light salad. Never use the pre-shredded cheese in plastic bags from the dairy case. It's dusted with cellulose, which messes with the texture and flavor. Always grate cheese from a block. It’s an extra step but it will save money and taste so much better.

Read more

Italian Cheesecake

If you are a fan of American-style cream cheese cheesecake, this might not be your dessert. Though if you like something lighter and less sweet, this is the dessert for you.

Read more