Top Chef

Every summer during "family week" at the cottage in Holland, we like to come up with a theme. This year's theme was Top Chef. We divided up the nights and each couple took a night cooking for everyone, we had a caterer come and prepare dinner one night, one of the nights we went out to dinner, and finally we had an appetizer cook off. I wanted something that was delicious and filling, but I also didn't want to spend the entire day running to the store and preparing an elaborate dish. I mean, I was on vacation after all. I decided to make a tried and true appetizer in our house. This is so easy, and so light and refreshing, the prefect appetizer for a warm summer night. This one is comes from my girl Giada.

Pea Pesto Crostini

1 10oz package frozen peas, defrosted

1 clove garlic

1/2 c parmesan cheese

1 t kosher salt, plus extra for taste

1/4 t fresh ground pepper

1/3 c olive oil

For the crostini

day old baguette

1/3c olive oil

cherry tomatoes, halved

For the pesto. Pulse the peas, garlic, parmesan, 1 t of salt and 1/4t of pepper in food processor. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Season with additional salt and pepper.

For the crostini. Slice the bread into 1/2 inch thickness, lay on a cookie sheet and brush with olive oil. Broil the bread for about 2 minutes. Flip the bread and repeat the process on new side. When bread has cooled, spoon pea pesto on a slice and top with a tomato slice. Enjoy!!