Dishing Up the Dirt

Roasted Beet Crostini With Pistachio Mint Pesto

160330_Beet Pesto Crostini

When I was in New York a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to eat some incredible food at some really rad restaurants. One of the places that we went for happy hour was Bar Primi and my favorite dish on the  menu was the roasted beets with pistachio pesto. I haven’t stopped thinking about those amazing beets ever since and I knew I had to create my own version back at the farm. Since the mint is coming in strong I wanted to jazz up the pesto with some fresh herbs and I’m really happy with how this recipe turned out. Each crostini is topped with a healthy smear of creme friache which pairs really well with the earthy beets and zesty pesto. This is not only a lovely appetizer but it can also be enjoyed as a complete meal when served with a side salad. Fast, fresh and healthy to boot this is my kind of weeknight meal. I hope you all enjoy these crostini as much as we do.

Cheers from Tumbleweed Farm.

Roasted Beet Crostini with Pistachio Mint Pesto

Prep Time: 20 minutes    Cook Time: 30 minutes    Serves: 4-6

Pesto:
  • 3/4 cup mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted pistachios
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil + additional to thin if necessary
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • salt to taste
Crostini:
  • 4 medium sized beets, scrubbed and cut into 1/2 inch thick cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • creme friache
  • roughly chopped almonds for serving
  • 1 loaf of rustic style bread, cut into 1 inch thick slices

Preparation

  1. Prepare the pesto by blitzing the mint in a food processor until it is coarsely chopped. Add the pistachios and garlic. With the motor running slowly add the olive oil, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Process until smooth, adding more oil to thin as necessary. Stir in the lemon juice and salt to taste. Set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400F. Toss the beets with the olive oil and roast in the oven until fork tender, about 20-25 minutes. Toss beets halfway through cooking.
  3. Increase the oven temperature to broil. Brush each slice of bread with a little olive oil. Place on the top rack in the oven and broil for about 2 minutes per side or until toasted to your liking.
  4. To serve spread a healthy layer of creme friache on each slice of bread followed by the beets. Drizzle with the pesto and sprinkle with chopped almonds and additional salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

*Use this recipe as a guide *Adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary *Taste test as you go


Leave a Reply

11 thoughts on “Roasted Beet Crostini With Pistachio Mint Pesto

  1. What a completely yummy snack! These look delish!

  2. Nora says:

    Do you peel the beets?

    1. Andrea says:

      Nope!

  3. Oh yum! What a gorgeous springtime combination. Can’t wait to give this recipe a whirl. Thanks!!!

  4. Lauren C says:

    Looks divine!!

  5. Rena says:

    Can’t wait to try this!!

  6. Jeanette says:

    beets, beets, beets – definitely a favorite!!!!

  7. Jeanette says:

    one more thing – LOVE that there’s no skimping on the bread – 1 inch slices – YES

    1. Andrea says:

      I don’t mess around with my carbs!!! 🙂

  8. Barbara says:

    The combination of roasted beets and mint-pistachio pesto is divine! I’ve recreated this dish as a roasted beet salad with pesto (which I thinned a bit with more lemon juice and water), and made it a lunch with toasted whole grain rye bread with hard-boiled egg. Thanks for awesome recipes – they all scream deliciousness to me!

  9. Barbara K. says:

    This is one of my favorite pesto recipes, and I often make it with roasted beet noodles and baked salmon. But I’ve noticed that unlike other types of pesto (spinach basil, kale, beet & kale) that I typically make in larger batches and always have in the freezer as individual portions to use on grilled sandwiches, pizza, socca, etc., this one does not keep well in the freezer nor in the fridge. Even when I’m generous with lemon juice, it becomes brownish and loses much of its flavor. Do you have recommendations what should I do different? Thank you!

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