yummy beef appetizer

Y’all know I love the Texas Beef People {not their official name…they are actually a COUNCIL because that sounds super fancy}, so when they asked me to help them put together a little holiday beef online celebration, it was an enthusiastic, YES.

Over the next few weeks, I will be making some beef dishes which they promise are easy and report back to you as to whether I could make them.

Because if I can make it, anyone can.

I am the easy recipe litmus test.

I take my duty seriously.

Today, appetizers are on the menu!

I love tiny food.

Let’s make Beef Crostini with Balsamic Drizzle and Parmesan Crisps!

Tiny food is all gourmet-sounding!

Beef Crostini with Balsamic Drizzle and Parmesan Crisps

You can find this on the Texas Beef website in the appetizer section where all sorts of other yummy things are found.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 lb (approx) of boneless beef top loin steaks
• 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1-1/2 t of flour
• 12 slices of thin white sandwich bread
• 1-1/2 t coarse grind black pepper
• salt
• 4 oz garlic-herb cheese spread {I used Boursin cuz I am addicted to it}
• Balsamic syrup {I use Acetum’s Blaze which is a prepared Balsamic Glaze and just about the most wonderful thing in the entire world to have handy in the fridge.}
• 24 small arugula leaves {I used mixed greens cuz Target was out of arugula even though I love arugula…}

How to make beef appetizers:

Instructions for Parmesan Crisps

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.   Combine Parmesan cheese and flour in bowl and toss.

3.  Sprinkle cheese/flour combo onto a PAM sprayed cooking sheet {cuz I love the PAM people too and don’t want this to stick} creating a 8-inch circle of cheese-y goodness.

4.  Bake on a center rack for 6-8 minutes until melted and light brown.

5.  Cool the cheese for 2 minutes on the pan and then transfer it to a wire rack to completely cool.

6.  Break into 24 irregular shape pieces and set aside.

Instructions for Fancy Toast

1.  The recipe suggests to cut the crustless bread diagonally in half, but I am all about the fun so we are using cookie cutters to make our Crostinis into stars.

2.  I used a star cookie cutter to cut out the middle of a dozen pieces of bread.

3.  Lay the bread pieces on a baking sheet and lightly toast in the 350 degree oven for about 6 minutes until the desired level of toasty-ness is achieved.

4.  Set aside.

Instructions for yummy top loin steaks

1.  Press pepper evenly onto beef steaks.

2.  Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat until hot.

3.  Cook top loin steaks 12-15 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness {we like our beef a little overdone, so we went a little longer}.

4.  Carve steaks into thin slices and season with salt.

Instructions to put it all together before you eat all the parts

1.  Spread each toasty star with a teaspoon of cheese spread.

2.  Top with 2 beef slices.

3.  Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

4.  Add a little greenery.

5.  Top with a parmesan crisp.

Seriously.  This was super good and very easy.

The appetizers were awesome and what was left over was even better.  We made star-relief toast with beef strips with the extras from this recipe…super fun and yummy.

I am 1/10th of the Texan Beef Loving Blogger Holiday series.  Here are some other fun appetizer recipes and some twists on the one I did.  Please visit them:  Allie at Screwed Up Texan, Amy from Mom’s Toolbox,  Arena from The Nerd’s Wife,  Brenda from Meal Planning Magic, Christina from A Closet Writer, Crystal from Crystal and Company, Jessica from My Baking Heart,  Lori from A Day in the Motherhood,  and Trista from Mommy Upgrade.

I have been working with the Texas Beef Council for several years now and am receiving product and compensation for my involvement.

AND…I am super excited to be hosting the #TXBeef Holiday Menu Twitter party!  It is on Tuesday, December 13 from 8-9 CST.

Please stop by twitter because they are giving away 23 Beefy prizes!!!

Plus we have all sorts of fun and information for making holiday menus easier.  I am no expert, but there will be a butcher, a nutritionist and a chef available for such questions.

Tagged as: Beef Loving Blogger, holiday menu, recipe, Texas Beef Council