Summertime and Crostinis are Easy!

A long time ago when my kids were little, I tried making granola. What a disaster!. The kids kept complaining that I was simply trying to get them to eat oatmeal or poison them. I thought it was okay but I like oatmeal.

That was a long time ago before granola was even sold in stores as an option for breakfast. Since then many companies have made granola commercially but there’s still a company that makes granola in small batches and guess what? That’s the only product they make so, it better be good! 

The company Golden Girl Granola and they make all kinds of fun flavors. You can check them out a Whole Foods or online at https://goldengirlgranola.com/ 

Anyway…….They are sponsoring a recipe contest which they have been gracious enough to do for a few years now. The contest was to create a recipe that would make a great summertime snack so I thought I would give it a try. 

I know I love granola straight out of the box but I felt a recipe that said to put it in a bowl  and then add milk might be too simple. I decided to try something savory and what says summer more than a simple crostini with fresh garden herbs and tomatoes. Add a little mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. 

Ah, a bite of summer, fresh from my garden.
  

              Summertime Parmesan Granola Crostinis

Crostinis
½ cup original Golden Girl Granola  
½ cup flour
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese 
2 egg whites 
¼ cup melted butter
¼ teaspoon garlic powder 
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Cream Cheese Topping 
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature 
2 tablespoons mayo
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese 
¼ cup chopped tomato
¼ cup basil leaves
2 oz mozzarella slices 
¼ balsamic vinegar

Crosinis
Place granola and flour in a food processor and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until well combined. Roll mixture with your hands into a 2 inch log and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour. Cut chilled log into thin slices (About ¼ inch) Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten crostinis by pressing down with your hand or the back of a cup or plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Crostinis will be slightly browned on the bottom. Allow to cool on pan until easy to handle. Makes 18 crostinis  

Cream Cheese Topping
In a small bowl combine cream cheese, mayo and sour cream. Spread a layer of topping on crostinis and top with fresh basil, tomatoes and mozzarella. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Serve chilled.


These easy to make crostinis are great with any topping you like. The crostinis have a crunchy outside texture with a somewhat softer middle. I used classic summertime ingredient but you can also use sun dried tomatoes, onions, pesto or anything you like.