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If there’s anything I’ve learned in the 10 years plus that I’ve loved to entertain it’s these three simple tips:
1. ALWAYS prepare as much ahead of time as possible.
2. Try and use one or two recipes that require little no cooking.
3. Only cook one or two recipes that are new to you.
When I was younger, I didn’t to do either. I would plan massive complex dinners and cocktail parties, taking on seven or eight homemade dishes I’d never made before. I would hardly prepare anything in advance, and consequently be running around an hour before the party with three unfinished dishes and a wickedly grumpy attitude. Not good.
Today I’m taking some help again from Vlasic pickles; these Fresh Herb Tuna Crostini are the perfect summertime app for barbecues, cocktail parties or just a casual summer lunch on the patio. For one, the only cooking required is a quick bake of sliced ciabatta bread to crisp each crostini up. Two, the tuna topping can be made a day or two in advance. 3. If this is a new recipe to you, the ease and quick assembly make these totally fool proof, even for the most inexperienced of cooks and entertainers.
Remember there are five delicious varieties of Farmer’s Garden by Vlasic pickles: Zesty Garlic Chips, Bread & Butter Chips, Kosher Dill Spears, Kosher Dill Halves and Dill Chips. Today’s crostini use my new-found-favorite – the bread and butter chip.
Canned albacore tuna is tossed with the chopped bread and butter chips, some of the veggies and brine from the jar, chopped parsley, black pepper and just a touch of mayo for the topping. Sliced ciabatta bread is drizzled with olive oil, popped into the oven and baked until golden brown and slightly toasted. The tuna mixture is scooped onto the toasted crostini and topped off with a sprinkling of bright green parsley and more chopped pickles.
Simple, easy and seriously summery.
- 8 to 10 slices ciabatta bread
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cans (5 oz. ea.) albacore tuna in spring water drained and flaked
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Farmer’s Garden® by Vlasic® Bread and Butter Chips, chopped
- ¼ cup vegetables from jar, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. brine from pickle jar
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
- ⅛ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange bread slices on baking sheet and brush with olive. Toast 10 minutes or until crisp; set aside
- Blend tuna with mayonnaise, pickles , vegetables, pickle brine, parsley and black pepper
- Serve tuna on crostini, garnished with additional chopped pickles and parsley leaves.
Don’t forget to Enter for a chance to win a summer entertaining package, worth $1,500, through the Savor Simplicity Sweepstakes. Visit www.farmersgardenvlasic.com to enter and for more information on Savor Simplicity.
I was provided product and compensation from Vlasic for this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Todd says
Crostini are the best!! I could eat an entire plate of these 🙂
Connie says
Love your entertaining tips. I tell similar rules to party-throwing newbies, especially doing as much preparation ahead as you can. Stick to simple classics/favorites. Utilize different cooking methods.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I really need to entertain more. And, when that day comes you better believe these are the first thing I am making! YUM! Pinning!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
I absolutely love tuna fish – its the only fish that I’m really a huge fan of actually 🙂 And on a crostini with herbs – this just looks perfect! Pinned 🙂
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
These crostinis look so good and perfect for parties!
Monet says
What a gorgeous appetizer packed full of flavor too! These look delicious!
Desme says
mmmh, I love this and so easy.
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Ashley says
haha oh gosh I used to try to make wayyyy overly complicated recipes when entertaining and I would be sooo cranky by the time people showed up! You live and learn right?? 🙂
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
love this tuna crostini/tuna recipe, delicious!!! could def see me throwing this onto some toasted white bread this weekend 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
oh my goodness I know the first time I tried to throw a little Christmas shindig I went WAY overboard. It was so freakin’ stressful. Next time I’m definitely keeping it simple. And I could do so with these adorable crostini! Fresh herbs make such a difference. 🙂
Nicole says
Hahahahahah I do the same thing, ESPECIALLY on holidays. Someday we’ll learn, won’t we?