30

min
  • snacks

Cross-Entropy Crostini

Cross-Entropy Crostini is a delightful appetizer that brings together the crunch of perfectly toasted baguette slices and the burst of flavors from a variety of toppings. It's not just a dish, but an experience, a culinary journey that takes your tastebuds on a thrilling ride. This recipe, inspired by the gastronomical genius of Iron Chefs, adds a unique twist to the classic crostini, making it a must-try for all food enthusiasts.

  • SERVES
    6-8
  • PREP TIME
    20 minutes
  • Cook TIME
    10 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 baguette
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Slice the baguette into 1/2 inch thick slices and arrange them on a baking sheet.
  3. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil and toast them in the oven for 10 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  4. While the bread is toasting, mix together the ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts in a bowl.
  5. Once the bread is toasted, rub a small amount of minced garlic on each slice.
  6. Top each slice with the ricotta mixture and sprinkle with fresh basil.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

The Cross-Entropy Crostini is a perfect blend of the traditional and modern culinary world. Its roots can be traced back to Italy where the simplicity of crostini - grilled bread with toppings, rose to fame. But this recipe is not your ordinary crostini. It's inspired by the Iron Chefs who are known to push boundaries and create masterpieces out of simple ingredients.

The idea behind this recipe was to create an appetizer that's not just tasty but also intriguing. The name 'Cross-Entropy' represents the blend of different flavors coming together, similar to how in machine learning, cross-entropy is used to measure the dissimilarity between the predicted and actual outcomes.

The twist in this crostini lies in the topping. Instead of the typical tomato and basil, we've incorporated a blend of ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts. The creamy ricotta balances the tanginess of the sun-dried tomatoes and olives, while the artichoke adds a pleasant crunch. The hint of garlic and the freshness of basil elevate the flavors, making every bite a delightful surprise.

This version of crostini is not only a treat to your palate but also a conversation starter at your dinner parties. So, why wait? Bring out your inner Iron Chef and wow your guests with the Cross-Entropy Crostini.

snacks