When it comes to appetizers, they should be simple yet impactful. These Apple and Chicken Sausage Crostini fits the bill where minimal effort meets maximum flavor!

Can we just all agree that appetizers are basically the best part of any meal? They are usually hand-held bites packed with flavor and, if done right, simple enough to put together (or make-ahead!) so you can converse with your guests. One of my favorite items to make is crostini. You can really top crostini with nearly anything and it will be delicious and easy. 

This time around, though, I topped mine with a flavor combination that got a ton of ooohs and aaahs from those who tried it. Let me tell you how it went down.

What makes the perfect crostini appetizer

I find that those white baguettes in the bakery section of Publix, sliced all the same width, will cook perfect for crostini every time. Just drizzle with a little bit of olive oil before browning in the oven. Then, depending on your topping selection, either set the topping on and arrange on a platter for serving, or cook up the toppings on top of the crostini in the oven, then serve.

Why I love Envy^TM apples

This time of year, you can walk into your grocery store and be inundated with tons of different apples. How does one go about choosing which to buy? Well, I’d love to suggest Envy^TM apples to you. They have a great bite and are incredibly flavorful, but there are two attributes that actually impress me more: they are non-GMO and they don’t brown. That’s right, no browning!

If you are a baker, you know that browning apples can quickly ruin your dessert or baked good. Now, you could buy another apple and make sure to squeeze lemon juice on top to halt the browning process, hoping for the best, or you could just buy Envy^TM apples and save yourself the heartache and anxiety over appetizers that don’t quite satisfy. 

Let’s recap. Envy^TM apples:

• Have amazing texture
• Give you that crunch
• Don’t brown — this is because they have a naturally higher citric acid content which prevents the ‘browning’ enzyme from activating
• Are non-GMO — they are a cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala and grown naturally in Washington and New Zealand.
• Make the ideal snack for kids’ lunches and any dish that will sit out for a little bit

I recently attended a couple of Envy^TM Apple events at Publix too. The first was an in-store tasting. Myself and a new blogger friend, Nicole, sampled our respective recipes featuring Envy^TM apples for local shoppers at the Sarasota Publix. The cooking school chefs helped us by preparing our recipe and assisting with set up. I was blown away by the support we received from shoppers who loved our recipes. 

The general consensus was that people wanted to know more about the individual recipe ingredients.

The Publix items I used

I used GreenWise Italian chicken sausage because it has less of a traditional Italian sausage flavor and because it’s a leaner protein. Italian sausage is delicious, don’t get me wrong, but the flavor can sometimes easily take over a dish. I didn’t want the other flavors to get lost in the flavor of traditional Italian sausage. 

I also used the Publix brand Morel Mushroom and Leek Monterey Jack cheese that you can find in the Deli case at your local store. I was first introduced to this cheese when I worked at the Publix corporate offices on the social media team. I had the great fortune to visit our cheese supplier in Wyoming and got a first taste of this cheese months before it hit stores. To say I loved it would be an understatement. I’m flat out obsessed with it. I knew it would be the perfect pairing for the other ingredients in this appetizer. 

The second Publix event I attended was at the Publix Aprons cooking class featuring Envy^TM apples. For the appetizer portion of the class, our recipes from the sampling event were demoed by the chefs and passed out to the attendees. I heard the sound of satisfaction from around the room and truly, it’s such a great feeling to know that people love the food that you developed.

We also had Pumpkin-Spiced Apple Cider, Shaved Fennel and Envy^TM Apple Salad, Pot Roast, and Envy^TM Apple Oat Crumble with a Citrus Caramel Topping. I love the cooking classes (both hands-on and demo) at the Publix Aprons cooking schools. I’ve been to a handful and the chefs are always knowledgeable and having a great time. It makes it even more fun!

Back to the crostini. It’s time to bring it all together and the results will blow you away. Follow the instructions for these Apple and Chicken Sausage Crostini and let me know what you think!