Artichoke and Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Artichoke Recipe, Appetizer Recipe

Artichoke and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Recipe and photo by Betty Rosbottom, author of Big Book of Backyard Cooking. Betty says, "The prep work took less than 20 minutes. An hour before the party, I mounded the artichoke purée onto toasted baguette slices and added a sprinkle of crumbled goat cheese."

Check out Linda's Appetizer Recipes and Artichoke Recipes for more great appetizer ideas.

Artichoke and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

18 baguette slices, cut on the diagonal about 1/4 -inch thick
Olive Oil
2 jars (6 to 6 1/2 ounces each) marinated artichoke hearts
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
Freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush baguette slices on both sides with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake slices until just crisp, about 3 minutes a side. Remove from oven and leave on baking sheet. (Bread can be toasted 3 hours ahead; cover loosely with foil and leave at room temperature.)

Drain artichokes, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the oil they were packed in, and place them in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add reserved 2 tablespoons liquid, 1/2 cup of the parsley, Parmesan cheese, and several grindings of black pepper. Process, pulsing machine, until mixture is a coarse puree. (Puree can be prepared 3 hours ahead; cover and leave at cool room temperature.)

When ready to serve, spread each bread slice with a mound of artichoke puree and top with some crumbled goat cheese. (Bruschetta can be assembled 1 hour ahead; leave uncovered, at room temperature.)

When ready to eat, bake until cheese is melted and bruschetta are warm, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle bruschetta with black pepper and some of the remaining parsley. Serve warm on a platter.

Makes 18 bruschettas