Brown Butter Radish Crostini Recipe

Introduction

Brown Butter Radish Crostini is a simple yet elegant appetizer that combines nutty browned butter with crisp radishes on toasted baguette slices. This easy recipe offers a delightful balance of rich, fresh, and tangy flavors perfect for entertaining or a light snack.

Ingredients

• Ice
• Water
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 12 small red radishes, sliced very thin (preferably on a mandoline)
• Flaky sea salt, for serving
• Fresh thyme leaves, for serving
• 1/4 lemon, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice water, then place a medium bowl inside so it sits dry above the ice water. The water should come up just below the rim of the medium bowl.
2. Step 2: Make brown butter by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the butter smells nutty and the milk solids turn golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Carefully pour the browned butter into the prepared medium bowl, add the kosher salt, and whisk continuously until the butter thickens, lightens in color, and whips up, about 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Preheat the oven broiler and move the rack to the top position. Arrange baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil until lightly golden on one side, about 1 minute. Flip carefully and broil until golden on the other side.
5. Step 5: Assemble the crostini by spreading a generous amount of the whipped brown butter on each toasted slice. Season with freshly ground black pepper, then top with thin radish slices, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, fresh thyme leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mandoline slicer to get ultra-thin radish slices, which create a more delicate texture and elegant presentation.
• Swap fresh thyme for other herbs like chives or tarragon for a different aromatic twist.
• For added richness, lightly brush the baguette slices with olive oil before broiling.
• If radishes are too peppery, soak them in cold water for 10 minutes before assembling to mellow their bite.

Storage

Brown butter crostini are best enjoyed fresh as the bread can become soggy if stored assembled. Store any leftover whipped brown butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Toast fresh baguette slices and assemble just before serving. Reheat bread slightly under the broiler for a crisp edge if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the brown butter in advance?

Yes, you can prepare and store the brown butter up to a week ahead. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight container and whisk it again before use to restore the whipped texture.

What can I substitute for radishes if I don’t like them?

If radishes aren’t your favorite, try thinly sliced cucumber, fennel, or even roasted beets for a different fresh topping that still pairs well with brown butter and herbs.

Brown Butter Radish Crostini Recipe

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This Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe is a simple yet elegant appetizer featuring toasted baguette slices topped with nutty, whipped brown butter, thinly sliced fresh radishes, and vibrant finishing touches of flaky sea salt, fresh thyme leaves, and a squeeze of lemon. It combines creamy richness with peppery crunch for a perfect bite-size starter that’s quick to prepare and full of flavor.

• Author: Stella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 crostini 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brown Butter

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Crostini

• 1 baguette, sliced into 1 inch pieces
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Toppings

• 12 small red radishes, sliced very thin (preferably on a mandoline)
• Flaky sea salt, for serving
• Fresh thyme leaves, for serving
• 1/4 lemon, for serving

Other

• Ice (for ice water bath)
• Water (for ice water bath)

Instructions

1. Prepare Ice Water Bath: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice and water, then fit a medium-sized bowl inside it, ensuring the medium bowl stays completely dry. The ice water should come to a couple of inches below the top of the medium bowl to keep it chilled.
2. Make Brown Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the butter develops a nutty aroma and the milk solids turn golden brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Whip Butter: Carefully transfer the browned butter into the prepared medium bowl sitting in the ice water. Add the kosher salt and whisk constantly until the butter thickens, lightens in color, and achieves a whipped texture, about 3 minutes.
4. Toast Baguette: Move the oven rack to the top position and turn the broiler on. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil for about 1 minute until the first side is lightly golden, then flip each slice and broil the other side until golden.
5. Assemble Crostini: Spread a generous amount of the whipped brown butter on each toasted baguette slice. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Top each piece with thinly sliced radishes, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, fresh thyme leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice to finish.

Notes

• Be careful when browning butter, as it can quickly go from golden brown to burnt. Watch closely and stir frequently.
• Using a mandoline will help achieve uniformly thin radish slices for better texture and presentation.
• Adjust lemon juice and salt to taste for a balanced flavor.
• Serving immediately after assembling ensures the crostini remain crisp and fresh.

Keywords: brown butter, radish, crostini, appetizer, toasted baguette, easy appetizer, party food, broiled bread