Crisp crostini topped with creamy burrata, fresh heirloom tomatoes, salty pine nuts and a creamy, herbaceous basil pesto. These crostini are perfect for summer entertaining!
Have you guys ever heard of the age old question, “Does a bear poop in the woods?” While I cannot solve that particular riddle, I can with 100% certainty, tell you deer poop (and pee) in the woods. #FunFactOfTheDay
How exactly do I know this? Because Boy, Dolce and I saw it. 3 sets of eyes. 6 eye balls. 2 ½ brains processed. (<– The ½ belongs to Boy. #GirlsRuleThisNotYetNamedHouse).
FACT: Bambi Poops
…In my yard.
But, Bambi didn’t just leave us yesterday’s meal. He also mean mugged us as he did it. For real, the deer totally stared us down as he dropped duces… as if to say, “How you like me now?”
The kicker? Of course it was the male deer who decided our yard needed fertilization. The female stayed elegantly up on top of the hill, in the woods, and watched on. I could tell she was thinking, “Please forgive my husband for his lack of manners… if you had a toilet he wouldn’t put the seat down when he was done either.” 🙂
None of this has anything to do with today’s recipe – Heirloom Tomato Relish, Burrata & Garlic Basil Pesto Crostini. Bambi was nowhere to be found when I made these crostini… he was probably off doing his community service in someone else’s yard. I just wanted to share that story. You laughed. Don’t deny it.
Anyways, these crostini were all the rage in my house. Literally, Boy and I noshed on these as we gripped tightly onto the last tid-bit of summer. AKA we shoved crostini after crostini into our pie holes and mumbled, through stuffed mouths, about how much we would miss heirloom tomatoes.
These crostini are a combination of some of my favorite things… aside from rain drops on roses and whiskers on Dolce. Creamy-dreamy-buisness on the top and crispy-crunchy-delectability on the bottom – they are like a culinary mullet that you want to rock.
The heirloom tomato relish I ate for days. Obviously (*ahh hem*) this relish is fresh and fabulous. It has non-discrete hints of garlic and basil; and a silky-smooth, yet chunk-tastic-addictive texture. The tomato relish is also super versatile. It works as so much more than a crostini topping. Use it as a no-cook pasta sauce, as a garnish for eggs, paired with grilled chicken, in place of salsa, eat it straight from a Mason jar with a serving spoon (<– I did that. No shame)… limitless and delicious possibilities!
Because I am not the type to simply, and only, make a dang delicious tomato relish for my crostini and call it a day, I naturally wanted to make a little drizzle-drizzle-somethin’-somethin’ to go with it. Enter garlic basil pesto. Garlicky, rich, luscious, basi-licious, nom-tastic sauciness. I was totally slathering this jolly green condiment on everything as well.
Pair the above WITH creamy, dreamy burrata AND crunchy pine nuts, put it all ON a slice of golden, brown, and delicious toasted baguette? HEAVEN.
Essentially, these crostini are just two of my favorite “toppings” lovingly spooned onto some toasty, burrata slathered bread. So whether or not you eat carbs and cheese (you do if you like to live your life)… you NEED to at least whip together this tomato relish and basil pesto. Your belly deserves it. Until next time, Cheers and happy crostini noshing!
-xoxo-
Cheyanne
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Heirloom Tomato Relish, Burrata & Basil Pesto Crostini
Ingredients
- Tomato Relish: (yield: 3-4 Cups)
- 6 medium Heirloom Tomatoes – divided, roughly chopped (about 18 oz. total)
- 4 Cloves Garlic – smashed
- 1 Shallot – roughly chopped
- 12 Fresh Basil Leaves – chiffonade (about 1/3 cup, packed)
- 1 tsp Anchovy Paste (can substitute 1 anchovy filet)
- 2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil , divided
- 2 TBS Parmesan Cheese – grated
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt and Pepper , to taste
- Garlic Basil Pesto: (yield – roughly 1 cup)
- ¾ Oz Fresh Basil Leaves
- 3 large Cloves Roasted Garlic (can substitute 4 cloves of roasted garlic)
- 2 TBS Pine Nuts (can substitute walnuts)
- ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese – grated
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ Heaping tsp Salt , or more to taste
- 1/8 tsp Pepper , or more to taste
- Crostini:
- 1 Baguette – sliced into 1/3’’ thick rounds
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – for drizzling
- 8 Oz Burrata
- Pine Nuts , to taste
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes , optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Basil Pesto: In the bowl of a food processor; add the garlic and pine nuts, process until finely diced. Add the basil, parmesan, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. With the processor running, slowly add in the olive oil. Process until smooth and pureed. Add more olive oil, one tablespoon at a time, for a thinner consistency. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
- Make the Tomato Relish: Wipe out the bowl of the food processor add ½ cup of the chopped tomatoes, all of the garlic, red onion, anchovy paste, ½ tsp salt, pinch of pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Process until roughly pureed. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to incorporate. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Leave out on the counter and allow flavors to marry for 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before utilizing.
- For the Crostini: Preheat the oven 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Arrange baguette slices on prepared sheet pan and drizzle or brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until light golden in color. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- To Serve: Spread burrata on crostini, top with tomato relish, sprinkle with pine nuts and crushed red pepper flakes, and drizzle with pesto. Enjoy!
I’m obsessed with caprese salad this year so I can’t wait to try this. It’s like an amazing version of caprese turned crostata! YUM! The layers of flavor with burrata must be delicious. Plus its the perfect party appetizer. Keep the awesome recipes coming!
Love everything about this, Cheyanne! Burrata is the bomb and the tomato relish sounds delish. I’ve got a bunch of tomatoes ripe in the garden so will be making today for lunch!
You are too silly with your deer story, Cheyanne! I think it’s pretty cool that you have deer wander around in your yard, even if it is only so they can take care of their dirty business. The only deer I’ve ever seen in the wild are the deer grazing alongside the interstate or turnpike in Florida. Oh Florida, you crack me up!
This heirloom tomato crostini looks like something I would eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack. You name the meal, I’ll take it!
Hey. . .even Bambi has to potty. I’m sure he was freaked out that he got caught in the act. Poor guy! On a positive note. . .at least he didn’t chow down on your plants and bushes. . .because then we might not have this fine looking heirloom tomato crostini. BTW. . .I recently discovered burrata and now want to place it on everything.
What a rude deer! lol Your post just crack me up!
This crostini looks soo good! and beautiful photos Cheyanne! 🙂
you are hilarious! We had deer in our yard all the time in WA . . it was crazy but then I kinda got used to it .. so funny huh?! LOVE these crostini!!! Slather garlic basil pesto on everything!!!!
See! This is exactly why we’re friends! You feel indignant about Bambi pooping in your yard and staring at you while he did it (which you rightfully should!), your house is a matriarchy, AND you made a crostini with all my favorite things!!! YUMM!! I want to stuff these in my pie hole too….please share!!! Tomatoes, burrata, pesto, pine nuts….please God, tell me Fed Ex can deliver this from NC to CA!! Tell Bambi to get lost because someone else is coming to your yard, and it’s not for the chance to poop, it’s for the chance to eat one of these!! Cheyanne…you are amazing!!! <3 <3
Oooh yes, this is perfect! I can’t get enough burrata, mmmmm! I love this flavor combo and could totally eat this slathered on bread bruschetta style or just straight up. Also, deer poop drives me crazy! Or I guess what drives me crazy is how much my dog likes to eat it. Gross! Hope your pup doesn’t discover it 🙂
Pretty sure this qualifies as acceptable for breakfast, lunch and again for dinner. I want to eat this ALL the time! I love how you just keep adding amazing layer of flavor upon amazing layer of flavor until these crostini are so ridiculous they must be made and devoured immediately. Oh my goodness! Well done, lady, well done. XO
P.S. Just make sure that deer stays away from any tomatoes you are growing. They get ALL of my mom’s before they ripen.
“The 1/2 belongs to Boy” – seriously cracking up over this (insert laughing so hard I’m crying emoji here). I’ve come across deer poop many times, but never actually saw one in the act. I’m laughing right now just thinking about it! Ok, enough about poop. This recipe looks fantastic! I’m seriously drooling over this – 3 of my favorite things ever, piled on top of bread? AHHH I so wish I could actually find a gluten-free baguette, but in the meantime I’m totally going to try this with my gluten-free sandwich bread. Great recipe Cheyanne!
Oh yeah, we’ve got that fertilizer in our yard too! We actually had two bambies this year.. so cute with their little spots. We found them and mom under the fir trees in the heat of the afternoon. It’s the beest having them around, even though they eat so many of our plants.. they were here long before I was! This crostini is fabulous, Cheyanne! The tomato relish has excellent flavor and you took it over the top with the basil! What I also love about these is the layers of texture. Texture is where its at.. creamy, crunchy, with multiple types! You always make my mouth water! Thank you my dear! 😀
Delicious *_*
Federica
http://www.thecutielicious.com
The Cutielicious
Mmmmm, these look amazing Cheyanne! So many delicious and refreshing flavours! I love the photographs too. Crostini is one of my favourite things to make, so I definitely need to try these! The relish sounds incredible <3
Love these crostini.. bright and fresh and oh so delicious!!
Hahahaha oh my goodness! That is too funny about the deer! I was never able to solve that riddle either btw. In our yard we have little rabbits that nibble at my jalapeno plants! NO JOKE! They nibble the flowers and then just as the plant is starting to grow they come and eat those! BASTARDS! At least they leave my tomato plants alone, right? Anyway-these crostini look incredible! In fact, I was just at a restaurant last night that had heirloom tomato burrata as a menu item, but it didn’t look nearly as good as this!
Oh the joys of living in nature! We definitely don’t get that in NYC…though there is pigeon poop EVERYWHERE.
These crostini are totally what I want to be eating every day for the rest of the summer. Or maybe my life.
Haha only Bambi would do that with a stare down! Sounds like you are having some fun adventures, Cheyanne! And this crostini looks AMAZING! I absolutely love all of the fresh ingredients on here. Heirloom tomatoes are my favorite, so I can only imagine how good this must taste, especially with the burrata and pesto. Pinned!
This looks insanely good and totally the type of thing that I would serve at a dinner party. Tomato and pesto is one of my favourite flavour combinations, and it just screams summer to me.
Cheyanne, it is amazing you got to see deer so close! I love wild animals, just not the ‘gifts’ they leave. Great crostini by the way 🙂
You are so funny, I literally spit out my iced tea while reading this… “as he dropped duces… as if to say, “How you like me now?”” oh my!
I’m with you on that lovely looking tomato relish, the colors and flavors are speaking to me and fresh pesto – oh hells yeah! These look snackalicious!
You seriously make me smile every time I visit your site. These look so incredibly good, Chey!
First of all- this crostini looks amazing!! Like, super good! The pictures are fabulous and I just want to reach through the screen and grab one! So perfect!
Second- that story is hilarious! It reminds me growing up and my mom always telling me and my siblings (mainly my sister) that we can’t talk about poop or farts at the table. So funny!
That deer sounds very much like a defiant little child in my care, who when told not to bang a toy up against the wall, will look at me with a “watch this” look and bangs away. This crostini is awesome! I love the touch of anchovy in the tomato relish. This is something I can graze on all day!
haha oh Bambi! 🙂 I particularly enjoyed the part about the female up on the hill apologizing for her husband! So true!
These crostini look awesomeeee. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is make a meal of appetizers. These would be perfect!
Haha! Cracking up at your deer story. Your dogs were probably like…uh…whose poop is this…? WHOSE POOP IS THIS?!?!?
This crostini looks BOMB. Drooling. Currently. Pinned.
Haha omg, that deer has some nerve! Can’t believe he stared you guys down too! Love these crostini! Those bright beautiful heirloom tomatoes are everything!
Haha, we have deer in our yard ALL the time! They eat pretty much everything. Love the flavor combo on these crostini!
Those deer sure do have a dang appetite, right!? Crazy! Thanks so much for the kind comment! Cheers, girlie! 🙂
LOL…I never would have thought talking about deer poop would lead to such a tasty crostini but it just happened! That’s such a funny story. Leave it to the male deer! haha 😉
This crostini looks like the perfect way to finish off summer!
OMG, I literally just fell out of my office chair at your comment! 🙂 I sure as poop (pun intended) DID turn a deer dropping story into a tasty treat… I was wondering if anyone would catch that!! lol. Thank you for making me giggle and the sweet comment! Cheers to a fabulous (hopefully deer poop free) day!
Life in the boons!! I DID laugh. I had to! The vision of the deer staring you down while he did his business as if to say “go on, I dare you, try to stop me”!
This is like a fully loaded bruschetta. I adore it. Sharing!
I am so glad you laughed Nagi! I know you get my humor! #Girlfriends! Fully loaded ANYTHING is where it is at! I know you concur… because you are FULL of flavor at RTE! Cheers, pretty lady! <3
They contain all my favourite things too! Can imagine how perfectly the flavour and texture combos work together- crunchy, creamy garlicky, fresh…am practically salivating at your photos… I’m conveniently in Italy at the moment so all the ingredients are fresh and very readily available – it would be a sin not to try these!
Thank you SO much Sophia!! I am SUPER jealous you are in Italy! OMG.. send some of that deliciousness my way! 😉 Cheers to that!
lol! What a story! Also, loving the combination of flavors on this crostini, Cheyanne! And basil pesto is such a delicious touch! pinned!
Thank you so much for the kind comment AND the pin, Savita!! Cheers to a fabulous day!! 🙂
Oh Cheyanne, you have totally made me laugh today. And silly me thought it was “if a tree falls in the wood and there’s noone there to hear it does it still make a sound?” Something like that. I have missed out on the age old bear pooping in the woods question all these years. Now I shall have to keep my eyes peeled for both deer and bears. And such a delicious crostini you are featuring. It’s lunchtime and my mouth is watering. Actually it’s past lunchtime. Wish this deliciousness were on my plate.
Yay! So glad I made you laugh, Allie!! A chick as inspiring as you DESERVES a little laughter!! I have heard the whole “if a tree falls in the woods” thing. I’m not sure If i made up the bear poop riddle… ? I swear I’ve heard that question… but I’m also blonde and very easily confused!! lol BUT, do keep your eyes peeled and let me know if you see a bear OR deer poop! 😉 Thank you SO much for the sweet comment, girlie! I hope you and the family have a beautiful day filled with LOTS of laughter! <3
Omg that deer, you made me laugh! What a story! Love these crostini and the tomato relish sounds perfect! Pinned!
Glad I could provide a few giggles, Mira! Thanks so much for the sweet comment and the pin!! Cheers to you, pretty lady!
I need, like life or death need, you to make these when MOD and I come this weekend!! Tell your deer friends your lawn is not their toilet
I have BIG plans for you da mama! Don’t you worry your pretty little self. Food will be had when you visit! xoxoxo <3
You certainly made me laugh! You are having some country adventure these days! Love love love these crostinis. Appetizers for dinner all the way!
Ha! Thank you, Liz! I feel like all I have these days are country back woods stories! I need some new material, but it’s all there is around here. Animals, tranquility and food! 🙂 Appetizers for dinner is like my FAVORITE thing in the whole wide world! Cheers to that! <3
This recipe is right up my food alley!! Love it all! Burrata is my cheese spirit and I could eat it every day. My first thought after reading about the deer was “Ugh!! Males!!”. lol! FYI, be careful that Dolce doesn’t eat the deer poo. Gracie ate it once and we had to take her to the emergency vet for antibiotics because it made her sick. Also, guess where we were last Saturday night? At the emergency vets with Nola because she ate something (we think she got into our chicken’s poo). What can I say, my girls like to eat gross stuff 🙂
Burrata is my cheese spirit too, Karrie! Not shocking since HELLO that whole great minds thing! Plus #FoodieBesties. HA! I was TOTALLY thinking “men” when the deer dropped off his “kids” in our yard. Boy already cleaned up the poop… you KNOW I ain’t doin’ that crap (<-- literally!) I hope Nola is okay! Sending her positive vibrations! And I KNOW all about girls eating nasty stuff... tater was a fan of eating that stuff too! Cheers, lovie! <3
Nothing better than a burrata, pesto crostini! 🙂
I could not agree more, Jennifer!! Cheers to a beautiful day!
This crostini is sheer awesomeness!
Thank you, Naomi! Cheers!
Ha! I totally laughed about Bambi! What a fun and hilarious story! I love that you speak for the elegant female! And this crostini sounds delicious! I’m so glad you didn’t stop with just the tomato relish and went for the pesto too. I just need to stop at the Teeter to pick up some bread and burrata and I’m golden for all the tomatoes and basil that have been exploding in my garden the past few days! Keep me posted on the deer updates and let me know if you solve the bear mystery too! 🙂
Glad I could provide you a lil’ laughter on this Manic Monday, Rachelle! The female was elegant.. her and I are spirit animals. We totally communicate! 😉 Get your cute butt to the Teets and pick up some bread and burrata… because that should just be in your household daily. I am still jealous of your tomato and basil exploding garden! Next year- I am sooo planting a garden. BUT I don’t have a green thumb… and bambi will probably eat everything. Meh… still going to do it! I will keep you posted on ALL animal updates! Cheers, lovely lady!
Not much to do in the boonies except watch deer defecate in the woods, huh? 🙂 We have deer, too. But I try not to watch them. They’re EVERYWHERE and it makes me nervous.
I am very into this crostini, though. No nervousness here. So much flavor in all the tomato! And burrata is just heaven, so this is awesomeness.
LOL! It’s not like I go searching for pooping animals, Mir! I swear!! 😉 The deer make me nervous, but only when driving, because A) I DO NOT want to hurt one and B) They RUN into your car and C) If they do your car is F-ed up! While I am not down for the deer/car situation, I am down with any type of crostini. Glad we roll the same! 🙂 And, Yes.. Burrata is HEAVEN! Cheers, pretty lady!
Ha-ha, I’ve been laughing all the time while reading the post. I didn’t laugh in the part you mentioned something about brain processing, though. The way too complicated to me. But, Chey, animals are better than human neighbours (with some exceptions such as bears) so I’m almost jealous of you. Around our house you can find only bunnies, raccoons, sconces, and opposums (not to mention squares, but I don’t count them). As you may see, BORING! And what a recipe! Indeed, it’s hard to impresse anyone after the ‘deer story’, but you’ve succeeded. Very delicious and hearty crostini.
Glad I could make you laugh, Ben! You made me laugh at the “too complicated” thing! Animals do make pretty dang cool neighbors… except when they decide to drop their brown nuggets on your lawn! 🙂 If you want more animal neighbors, you should move here! We can be neighbors and I can come steal your lavender and boozy dressings! Thanks so much for the kind comment, buddy! Cheers to a fabulous day! <3
Wow, Cheyanne! I am loving these little and adorable beauties. The combination of flavors on this crostini is perfect! These are utterly deeeelicios. What a lovely share, Girl. Count me in for these little stunners. 🙂
Thank you so much, Anu!! You can’t really go wrong with tomatoes, cheese and bread… right? 😉 Cheers, girlfriend!
Wow these are beautiful!! Also a few Bambi(s) ate my husbands tomatoes in his garden and he wasn’t thrilled.
Omg, Zainab! I don’t blame your hubs! My aunt has a pretty big garden and I have heard her talk about the deer eating her yum yumms! I want to plant a garden next year, but I am thinking the deer are going to eat everything and piss me off! No bueno! Thanks so much for the comment girlfriend! Cheers to you and the family!
This seriously looks sensational!!!
Thank you so much Jocelyn! Cheers to you and your fabulous cookbook!
Chey, your story left me laughing, as usual! This crostini looks wonderfully savory and delicious! We need to use up all those fabulous end of summer tomatoes!! I love burrata and that pesto drizzles completes it just perfectly! Awesome job with this one! Enjoy your week!
Glad I could make you laugh, Mary Ann! Mission accomplished!! 🙂 I am totally doing the tomato shuffle and hoarding while I still can… tomatoes and peaches are probably the two things I will miss most in fall. Thank you so much for the sweet words, as always, pretty lady! Cheers to you! <3
Well who does that deer think he is!? Doing his business in YOUR yard like he owns the place!
I was going to say you should throw crostinis at him. BUT THAT WOULD BE A WASTE OF DELICIOUSNESS! I mean, burrata and tomatos? CHECK MATE. Pinned!
HA! I have no idea WHO that deer thinks he is… clearly he believes he is the king of this castle’s back yard! 🙂 He is lucky I have a weakness for deer… I blame Disney. And I totally agree, we cannot throw crostini at Bambi! I NEED them in my belly! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words and the Pin, girlie! <3
Oh my goodness, this is utter perfection. That relish!!! And I love that you paired it with creamy burrata, herb-y pesto, and crunchy pine nuts! Everything about this is so en pointe!!!
Thank you so much, Alllie! I literally was eating the relish plain! But, I mean I eat tomatoes, sliced with salt when they are in season… so not a shocker! 😉 Cheers, girlfriend!
The combination of flavors on this crostini is perfect! I love burrata and know that I wouldn’t be able to resist these little bites!
Thank you so much, Ashley!! Burrata does ROCK the dang house! Cheers, lovely lady!