{Best Christmas Appetizer Recipes} Blue Cheese and Hazelnut Bruschetta via The Silver Grille (What Matters Most Now)

12/11/2012

{Best Christmas Appetizer Recipes} Blue Cheese and Hazelnut Bruschetta via The Silver Grille

We are fortunate to have access to an intimate and charming restaurant, the Silver Grille, that prides itself on utilizing the bounty of the Willamette Valley and Oregon to create incredible cuisine.

The contemporary bistro is home to Chef Jeff Nizleck whose creations draw a loyal following of folks who trek far and wide to savor his ever-changing, seasonal menu offerings. I regularly crave (and think I could live on) a slow-smoked lamb dish that melts in your mouth with preserved Meyer lemons and house-cured pancetta served with homemade gnocchi.

The Silver Grille has been generous in posting recipes on their website from time-to-time and I was fortunate to discover another of my Silver Grille favorites - Silver Grille Oregon Blue Cheese and Hazelnut Bruschetta. This appetizer is perfect for the holidays with the hint of green from the parsley and makes for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have guests swooning.

The Silver Grille Oregon Blue Cheese and Hazelnut Bruschetta

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

1⁄2 cup blue cheese (Oregon blue cheese blends great with the Oregon Hazelnuts)
1⁄2 cup butter
1⁄4 cup hazelnuts, roasted, skinned and chopped
2 Tab. flour
1 egg
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp dried herbs (basil, oregano)
1 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:
In a food processor, mix 2/3 of the cheese with the butter, garlic and herbs. Puree well and remove from processor to a bowl.
Fold in the remaining cheese in crumbles and the hazelnuts. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Grill slices of baguette, or broil until brown. Rub with garlic if desired and top with blue cheese and hazelnut spread.

Broil until brown on top.

Serve immediately.