Grilled Broccolini & Whipped Feta Toast Appetizer

Finding a new appetizer for another neighborhood party can be tricky.  You want something tasty, easy, and something everyone will enjoy. These simple yet delicious toasts are just the ticket when it comes to bringing a new appetizer to a party that look like they took a lot of time to make, but really they can be made start to finish in less than 15 minutes.

Grilling the broccolini, which is baby broccoli, doesn’t take too much time because the stalks are slender, which means they are tender in no time flat. The salty whipped feta with little hints of shallot adds a beautiful contrast to the sweet, robust balsamic reduction.  These will be a crowd pleaser, and I can guarantee that unlike chips and salsa, this will be one of a kind on the table.

Grilled Broccolini & Whipped Feta Toast

Ingredients:

• 4 slices Tuscan whole grain bread, diagonally cut & 1-inch thick
• Olive oil
• 8 ounces Broccolini spears
• Salt & Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• 2 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1/2 cup Balsamic reduction*

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to 350 degrees.
2. Using a pastry brush, spread some olive oil on both sides of the sliced Tuscan bread and grill for 3- 4 minutes per side or until bread is toasted, remove from grill and set aside.
3. Drizzle the broccolini spears with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, place in a grill basket or right onto the grill grates, grill for 8-10 minutes turning frequently or until broccoli is tender crisp and stem is easily pierced with with a knife, remove and set aside.
4. Place the heavy whipping cream, feta, shallot and fresh cracked black pepper into a medium bowl and using a hand mixer on low speed whip ingredients for 1 -2 minutes then increase speed to medium or high for 3 minutes or until ingredients are well combined and fluffy.
5. Spread the grilled toast with some of the whipped Feta, top with 2-3 spears of grilled broccolini and drizzle with some Balsamic reduction.

*Note: To make homemade balsamic reduction, place 2 cups of balsamic vinegar in a shallow pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until it reduces by half and coats the back of a spoon.