Elevate your appetizer game with this pear and arugula crostini. An incredible combination of pear, arugula, parmesan, and cream cheese. Ready in about 30 minutes, this pear and arugula crostini appetizer is a very fresh and light appetizer. The different parts of the appetizer can be used in other dishes. Look below for the different ways.
Why You'll Love This Elegant Appetizer
- Whipped Parmesan Cream: The secret to this recipe is whipping the cream cheese and heavy cream together. It creates a light, airy base that is far superior to plain cream cheese.
- Sweet & Peppery: The sweetness of the maple-pear vinaigrette is perfectly balanced by the peppery bite of fresh arugula.
- Looks Gourmet, Takes Minutes: It looks like something from a high-end caterer, but you can assemble it in 20 minutes.
What You Will Need:
- 8 oz of softened cream cheese or mascarpone cheese
- ¼ cup of heavy cream
- ½ cup of parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- 2 diced semi-hard pears
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar or pure maple syrup
- 1 baguette cut into 10-12 one inch pieces
- 1 cup of arugula
The cheese on the pear and arugula crostini
The cheese is easy to make and has huge flavor. The softened cream cheese is mixed to make it more creamy. The whipping cream is then added until they are well blended. The parmesan cheese, black pepper, and thyme is added next to the mixture and combined. It does not take long to make and tastes great!
Making the vinaigrette
Dice the pears into about ½ inch pieces. I did not peel them. Make sure not to include the stem and seeds. Mix the olive oil, sugar, and white wine vinegar together. If you are using maple syrup instead of sugar, make sure it is pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup. I have found that using pure maple syrup makes the vinaigrette taste better and mix easier.
Putting it together
Depending on how big your crostini is, place about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto the crostini. Try to form a well for the pear mixture to set in. Place a teaspoon or more of the pear mixture into the well trying to make sure it does not spill over the edges of the crostini. Top with a piece or a few pieces of arugula and you are ready to serve!
Other ideas with the ingredients
The vinaigrette makes a great salad dressing. Add sliced pears and a little parmesan and you have a light and satisfying arugula salad. The cheese mixture makes a great cheese dip for parties on its own. It can also be used as a sandwich spread.
Please visit my appetizer page for more ideas!
Also try out my apple salad with blue cheese and walnuts for a great started salad!
FAQ's:
Dicing ensures you get a bit of pear, cheese, and arugula in every bite without the whole slice sliding off
While the recipe doesn't explicitly state toasting, crostini are traditionally toasted before topping. Toasting the baguette pieces until light golden brown will provide a crispy base that holds up well under the creamy cheese and pear mixture.
Yes, the cheese mixture can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. For assembly, make sure to bring the mixture back to room temperature before spreading.
The best method is to spread about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto the baguette, and then gently form a small well for the pear mixture to sit in, ensuring it doesn't spill over the edges.
Yes, you can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone cheese. You can also experiment with different cheeses like goat cheese for added tanginess, or a different hard cheese instead of parmesan.
The vinaigrette makes a great salad dressing, and the cheese mixture works well as a savory dip or sandwich spread.
Recipe
Pear and Arugula Crostini with Whipped Parmesan Cream
Ingredients
- 8 oz softened cream cheese or mascarpone cheese
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 diced semi-hard pears
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or sugar
- 1 baguette cut into 10-12 one-inch pieces
- 1 cup arugula
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Bake for 6-8 minutes until golden and crisp. Let cool.
- Add cream cheese to your mixing bowl and mix until soft and creamy, then add whipping cream until combined.
- Add parmesan cheese, black pepper, and thyme. Mix until combined and set aside.
- Mix the oil, syrup or sugar, and vinegar together and combine. Then mix in the diced pears. Set aside.
- Spread a tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto a piece of the baguette leaving a well for the pears.
- Place a teaspoon, or what will fit, of the pear mixture into the well you made on the piece of bread.
- Place arugula on top of the pears.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Key Takeaways
- Prepare this Easy Pear and Arugula Crostini in about 30 minutes using cream cheese, parmesan, and fresh pears.
- Make the cheese mixture by blending cream cheese, whipping cream, parmesan, black pepper, and thyme.
- Create a vinaigrette with diced pears, olive oil, vinegar, and sugar or pure maple syrup for flavor.
- Assemble crostini by topping baguette slices with the cheese mixture and pear vinaigrette, then garnish with arugula.
- Use leftover ingredients for salad dressing, cheese dip, or sandwich spread alternatives.
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