crostini
Topped toast appetizers
Crostini are small slices of toasted or grilled bread, typically brushed with olive oil and topped with various ingredients—tomatoes, cheese, liver pâté, or spreads.
The singular is crostino, though English speakers rarely use it.
Crostini appear as appetizers or accompaniments to soups and salads: We started with crostini topped with fresh ricotta and honey.
Grilled bread with toppings
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- trattoriaCasual Italian restaurant
- TuscanyCentral Italian region
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
pecorino · ciabatta · focaccia · parmigiano · caprese · gorgonzola · olive oil · basil
Savory olive-caper spread
- tomatoRed culinary fruit
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- mozzarellaMild Italian cheese
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
ricotta · goat cheese · pesto · balsamic · fig · smoked salmon · artichoke · roasted pepper
Topped bite-sized appetizer
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- hors d'oeuvreSmall savory appetizer
- tapasSpanish appetizer assortment
bruschetta · mezze · starter · nibble · taster · morsel · tidbit · aperitif
Elongated crusty loaf
- ciabattaFlat, airy Italian bread
- sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
- slicePortion cut off
crust · artisanal · oven · baked · loaf · crusty · grilled bread · toasted bread
Firm and breakable
- crunchyBreaking with sound
- toastedBrowned by heat
- cracklyMaking small sharp sounds
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
brittle · crispy · snappy · crispness · bite-sized · crumbly · rustic · crunch
Refined sensitivity or rarity
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- epicureanConnoisseur of sensual pleasures
- gastronomyScience of fine dining
- refinedPurified or cultured
sophisticated · culinary · savory · exquisite · palate · elevated · chef · tasting menu
bruschetta
Grilled bread with toppings
prosciutto · pecorino · ciabatta · focaccia · parmigiano · caprese · gorgonzola · olive oil · basil · garlic
tapenade
Savory olive-caper spread
- tomatoRed culinary fruit
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- mozzarellaMild Italian cheese
prosciutto · ricotta · goat cheese · pesto · balsamic · fig · smoked salmon · artichoke · roasted pepper · hummus
canapé
Topped bite-sized appetizer
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- hors d'oeuvreSmall savory appetizer
tapas · bruschetta · mezze · starter · nibble · taster · morsel · tidbit · aperitif · small plate
baguette
Elongated crusty loaf
- ciabattaFlat, airy Italian bread
- sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
slice · crust · artisanal · oven · baked · loaf · crusty · grilled bread · toasted bread · crouton
crisp
Firm and breakable
golden · brittle · crispy · snappy · crispness · bite-sized · crumbly · rustic · crunch · charred
delicacy
Refined sensitivity or rarity
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- epicureanConnoisseur of sensual pleasures
- gastronomyScience of fine dining
refined · sophisticated · culinary · savory · exquisite · palate · elevated · chef · tasting menu · wine pairing
- Italian foodpasta, spaghetti, risotto, gnocchi, ravioli
- appetizersmozzarella sticks, canapes, bruschetta, buffalo wings, nachos
- crunchy foodschips, crackers, pretzels, popcorn, celery
- dippablescarrot sticks, celery sticks, chips, crackers, french fries
- party foodbirthday cake, cake, appetizers, finger food, hors d'oeuvres
- canapeblini, blinis, toast point, toast points, bruschetta
crostinisteamed buns
Filled dough cooked by vapor
bao · fresh bread · brioche · milk bread · white bread
crostiniboiled dumplings