Recipe: Smoky Cilantro Pesto Beef Crostini

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Time: 45 Minutes

Smoky Cilantro Pesto Beef Crostini

Homemade pesto comes together quickly before being spread on a baguette and topped with grilled steak and cheese.

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Ingredients

  • 2 beef Ranch Steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 8 ounces each) - Two beef Flat Iron Steaks (about 8 ounces each) or 4 beef Tenderloin Steaks, cut 1 inch thick, may be substituted for Ranch Steaks. Grill Flat Iron Steaks on charcoal grill, 10 to 14 minutes (on gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes); grill Tenderloin Steaks on charcoal grill, 10 to 14 minutes (on gas grill 11 to 15 minutes) for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.
  • 24 slices baguette bread, cut diagonally 1/2 inch thick
  • 1/4 cup grated Cotija cheese - Grated Parmesan cheese may be substituted for the Cotija cheese.
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 cups loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • 2 small chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - For less heat, remove seeds from chipotle peppers.
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated Cotija cheese
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

    • Quick Facts

  • 45 Minutes
  • 24 Servings
  • 148kcal Calories
  • 6g Protein

    • Cooking

    1. Prepare Smoky Cilantro Pesto. Place cilantro, pine nuts, chipotle peppers, garlic, lime juice and black pepper in food processor container. Cover; process until finely chopped. Add cheese; pulse on and off until just combined. With motor running, slowly add oil through opening in cover, processing until smooth.
    2. Spread 1/4 cup pesto evenly onto beef steaks. Place steaks in glass dish. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining pesto.
    3. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Arrange 12 bread slices around steaks. Grill steaks, covered, 11 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill bread slices 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly toasted, turning once. Remove bread slices from grill. Repeat with remaining 12 bread slices.
    4. Spread 2 teaspoons remaining pesto on each toasted bread slice. Carve steaks into thin slices. Place beef slices evenly over bread slices. Top evenly with 1/4 cup cheese and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Serv Size Calories Total Fat Cholesterol Total Carbs Protein
    24 148kcal 9g 13mg 11g 6g

    * The % Daily Value tells you how much of a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. 2g Saturated Fat; 5g Monounsaturated Fat; Carbohydrates; 1g Fiber; 1.2mg Niacin; 0.1mg Vitamin B6; 0.8mcg Vitamin B12; 0.9mg Iron; 6.4mcg Selenium; Zinc; Choline;

    Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com