Crab, Tomato & Avocado Crostini with Fresh Basil

Valerie's Kitchen

* Note-A couple of things to keep in mind with ALL of my recipes:
-I usually eyeball my ingredients so feel free to give a little/take a little according to your likes/dislikes
- I like to use locally farmed fruits/veggies so feel free to use a different type of tomato (keep this in mind for all of my recipes).

Makes 24 crostinis

Ingredients:

1 loaf of ciabatta bread
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 firm but ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Cherry tomatoes (about 1½ pounds), roughly chopped
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
8 ounces fresh crab meat (some markets will sell fresh crab meat packaged...I would not recommend imitation crab meat. If you can't get it...just leave it out.)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
Fresh small basil leaves, for garnish

Directions:

-To toast the crostini:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Thinly slice the ciabatta crosswise into ¼-inch thick slices and arrange the slices in a single layer on large baking sheets.

Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toast in the oven for 5 minutes or until they are slightly golden. Remove from the oven and cool.

-To assemble the crostini:
Toss the avocados and lime juice in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the tomatoes, chopped basil, vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil together in another medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss the crab meat and chives in a third bowl.

Spoon the tomato and avocado mixtures over the crostini, dividing equally. Top with the crab mixture. Arrange the crostini on a platter. Garnish with basil leaves and serve & ENJOY!!!

Joe and I had this for an appetizer and were almost too full for the split pea soup I made for dinner. If you're making this for 2 as an appetizer I would definitely cut the recipe in half. Joe asked if the next time I make this if we can have it as the main course...it is DELICIOUS!!!!