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Super Bowl Party Appetizers: Crostini with Boursin Cheese + Tomato-Mango Relish

Confession: I only like the Super Bowl for the parties. The food parties. You know what I mean, right?

Nothing says food coma bliss to me more than being surrounded by dozens of rapturous appetizers and heady drinks, all of which I plan to nibble on at least twice during the course of the evening. I am a food whore. Don’t judge.

I especially like food in miniature form. Appetizers. Bites. Amuse Bouches. Tastes. Firsts.

You get the idea.

My rationale for all this is quite simple, actually. I mean, the smaller the size, the more you can eat (because they say food portion is everything these days) and the more you can cram onto your plate. By the time I’m finished taking a sample of everything on the table, my dish resembles a gigantic plethora of offerings fit for a Sun God. Or an Egyptian Sphinx. Perhaps even Mother Hubbard (Though, Lord knows that woman doesn’t need ANY more food in her. Have you seen her backside?!).

But, you know me and my greedy-selfish ways. I hoard it all to myself. Moon Goddess or no.

I find myself a cozy, comfy place to sit for the entire evening. I nibble on this. I nibble on that. I relish in the fact that I enjoy “mindful eating,” that is, chewing slowly, acknowledging each layer of flavor that tickles my palate, from sweet, to sour, to bitter, to umami.

I cheer when the underdog scores, because I’m kind like that. And I laugh when a funny commercial strikes the screen, because, duh, it’s funny!

When it comes to the type of food I enjoy the most, it really depends. Sometimes it’s based on my mood. Other times, it’s based on the alignment of the stars. But overall, I’m not too selective.

But, of course, I do have my favorites.

And because I’m a lady (96% of the time), I tend to hold a special place in my cravings department for the following two appetizers. They’re a little dainty. A little posh. And a lot delicious. They’re also super simple to make and have only the freshest essential ingredients. I know you will love them.

Disclaimer: The preceding appetizers are geared towards women for two reasons. 1. They are small and cute, and 2. They are small and cute.

This does not mean men cannot indulge in said appetizers as well. After all, men require pretty time, too.


Crostini with Boursin Cheese and Tomato-Mango Relish

Print the Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 10-12

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

 

1 French baguette; cut into diagonal slices

Extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove; halved

½ pint grape tomatoes; chopped finely

1 mango; chopped finely

1 garlic clove; minced

Salt to taste

Boursin or goat cheese

Cooking Instructions:

 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place the slices of French baguette onto a baking sheet, spreading them out. Drizzle each slice with extra virgin olive oil. Use a brush to coat the top of each slice evenly.

Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until slightly golden brown and crunchy. Immediately after taking out of the oven, rub each crostini with the cut side of a garlic clove. The heat from the crostini will slowly melt the garlic, infusing it with wonderful garlic flavor. Allow the crostini to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, combine the chopped tomatoes, mango, garlic, a splosh of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl; Mix. Taste for seasonings.

Spread a generous layer of Boursin or goat cheese on each crostini. Top with a teaspoon of the tomato-mango relish. Drizzle with additional extra virgin olive oil right before serving.

Buffalo Mozzarella Bites with Pesto and Grape Tomatoes

Print the Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: N/A

Servings: 10-12

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

 

1 container fresh Buffalo mozzarella; cut into thick, round slices

1 container store-bought pesto

Grape tomatoes; halved

Extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt

Cooking Instructions:

 

Assemble by placing a thick round of Buffalo mozzarella on the bottom, topping with a teaspoon of pesto, and anchoring a halved grape tomato on top. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and then sprinkle with sea salt.

Pick up and eat with your bare hands. Mhm.

Provecho!

XO,

Steph

Stay tuned next week when I address the issue of meaty-manly mega appetizers perfect for the fellas.


35 comments
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  • RitaJanuary 18, 2011 - 2:42 pm

    Mango and tomato? What a superb combination!! I never thought of puting them together! That’s great!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 19, 2011 - 12:02 pm

      Rita,

      I love the extra sweetness the mango offers. So yum. And I love the color, too. :-pReplyCancel

  • MargieJanuary 18, 2011 - 8:24 pm

    You’re right, making a meal of appetizers or small bites is always big fun! Your apps for the ladies really are so small & cute 🙂 The crostinis sound fab with the mango & goat cheese. Thanks for stopping by my blog.ReplyCancel

  • KristenJanuary 19, 2011 - 4:14 pm

    Those are beautiful photos. The crostini especially captured my attention. What a great combination of flavors!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 19, 2011 - 5:20 pm

      Thanks, Kristen! I devoured the entire platter of them yesterday. Delish!ReplyCancel

  • Christina @ Sweet Pea's KitchenJanuary 19, 2011 - 10:23 pm

    Yummy!! These appetizers look so delicious! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • ChristinaJanuary 20, 2011 - 9:58 am

    Perfect little bites for the big game day!ReplyCancel

  • MonetJanuary 20, 2011 - 10:49 am

    I am all about the Super Bowl parties too! And I’m definitely a fan of small and cute desserts! These look so delicious. Thank you for sharing such creative and beautiful recipes. I hope you have a great Thursday…the week is almost done!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 20, 2011 - 10:57 am

      Hi Monet!

      Yes, Thursday…can you believe it?! Crazy beans. I love your blog and can’t wait to see more of your lovely recipes!ReplyCancel

  • Steph@stephsbitebybiteJanuary 20, 2011 - 12:37 pm

    Totally agree with you about the smaller bites thing. Small means more 🙂 These sound so yummy, and really lite!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 20, 2011 - 2:27 pm

      Hey Steph,

      I have so much, I’ve been eating them for lunches…and sometimes dinner…LOL for the past couple days. So yum!ReplyCancel

  • LizJanuary 20, 2011 - 3:34 pm

    Steph, if I saw your two appetizers I would immediately gravitate towards them. So bright and gorgeous…and obviously delicious! YUM!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 20, 2011 - 4:02 pm

      Thanks Liz! I’m definitely gonna have to check out some of your bread recipes soon. I need to work on that baking bread thing this year!! :pReplyCancel

  • Angie's RecipesJanuary 20, 2011 - 3:42 pm

    Sometimes I could just eat the appetizers as the main! :-)) Both appetizers look so inviting.ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 20, 2011 - 4:04 pm

      Hey Angie! Yes. Apps are the best aren’t they? I find that my palate gets bored easily. :p I much prefer having a lot of little things to eat as opposed to 1 huge thing.ReplyCancel

  • AnnaJanuary 20, 2011 - 6:10 pm

    Wow…that looks great so vibrant and appetizing. Pretty sure the Ladies loved it.ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 21, 2011 - 8:07 am

      Anna,

      I have made the crostini before and they were gobbled up (by ladies AND gents) fairly quickly. :-p So yummy.ReplyCancel

  • fooddreamerJanuary 21, 2011 - 6:54 am

    First, the title of this post makes me want to sing “Hey Ladies!” in my best Beatie Boys voice! Second, I adore finger-foods, apps, amuse bouche, small and cute, and I would gobble all of these up. I can’t have you over for the super bowl because we would be fighting over the miniature foods.ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 21, 2011 - 8:08 am

      Caroline,

      Haha. I think I know that song, but maybe not. All I can hear in my head is, “Let’s hear it for the boy.” And that’s totally wrong. :-p A miniature foods fight?! LOLReplyCancel

  • Fresh and FoodieJanuary 21, 2011 - 10:34 am

    I could live on snack food, which makes Super Bowl Sunday that much more awesome. Yum!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 21, 2011 - 2:31 pm

      I know, seriously. Honestly, I totally look forward to it just for that aspect. LOLReplyCancel

  • Junia @ Mis PensamientosJanuary 21, 2011 - 5:15 pm

    these appetizers look delicious! i love making little bite sized portion foods and making them look pretty :).

    i lived in ann arbor for the past 9 years and just moved from there 6 months ago – i LOVE ann arbor!!!

    thanks for the blog comment! 🙂ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 22, 2011 - 7:24 am

      Hey Junia! AA rocks! Where did you relocate to? We just went to Shalimar for dinner last night. Awesome Indian food!ReplyCancel

  • Chef DennisJanuary 22, 2011 - 11:16 am

    dainty or not, I would still love to try those tasty creations!! I love football, but I do enjoy everything else that goes with the occasion, good food and especially the commercials!
    Cheers
    DennisReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 22, 2011 - 2:36 pm

      Thanks, Chef! Here’s to hoping for a fun, tasty, and raucous Super Bowl!!ReplyCancel

  • TiffanyJanuary 22, 2011 - 1:18 pm

    Cute and small, small and cute! Hilarious! I love the super bowl for the football and for the food, but I never have food that looks this tasty!ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 22, 2011 - 2:37 pm

      Hi Tiffany!

      It’s easy peasy to make. You should try it!!ReplyCancel

  • ElaineJanuary 22, 2011 - 7:02 pm

    The crostini’s are definitely one of my favs for sure! Mmm! =)ReplyCancel

  • The Mistress of SpicesJanuary 24, 2011 - 10:13 am

    These are both lovely ideas for appetizers! I could eat a meal of small bites for dinner any day! Wish I could find a good Super Bowl party to make and take these to here in Paris…ReplyCancel

  • RitaJanuary 24, 2011 - 5:04 pm

    Stephanie, I just want to tell you that I nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award, because I love your blog! Check out my page to see it. 😛ReplyCancel

  • Kate @ Diethood.comJanuary 25, 2011 - 1:59 pm

    I love your little gems … they look adorable and definitely delicious. I could totally stuff my face with these while everyone else watches the game!ReplyCancel

  • JorieJanuary 26, 2011 - 4:44 pm

    I’m with you on all counts…cute appetizers, mini food and all day nibbling! The mango relish looks delicious.ReplyCancel

    • StephJanuary 26, 2011 - 4:48 pm

      Hi Jorie! Thanks! I do love the sweetness of the mangos. Goes great with the cheesy, crunchy bread.ReplyCancel

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