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A finished shrimp crostini on a wooden board topped with basil whipped cream cheese, a sautéed shrimp, a frilly green lettuce leaf, and a spoonful of diced cherry tomatoes.

Shrimp Crostini with Basil Whipped Cream Cheese

An elegant, easy holiday appetizer that looks fancy, but takes just minutes to make.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10 crostini
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Crostini
  • 1 baguette sliced on a bias
  • Olive oil for brushing
Plain Cream Cheese Layer
  • 2 oz plain cream cheese softened
Basil Whipped Cream Cheese
  • 6 oz softened cream cheese
  • Small handful fresh basil leaves
  • 2-3 drops olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste
Shrimp
  • 10 large shrimp peeled & deveined
  • 1-2 tsp your preferred seafood seasoning
  • Olive oil or butter
Tomato Mix
  • 1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp finely diced shallot
  • 1 tbsp chopped basil
  • 1-2 tsp olive oil
  • A tiny splash balsamic vinegar
  • Salt & pepper
Optional
  • Small frilly lettuce leaves

Method
 

. Toast the Crostini
  1. Brush baguette slices with olive oil and toast at 400°F for 5–7 minutes or until golden.
Make the Basil Whipped Cream Cheese
  1. Blend cream cheese, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag.
Make the Tomato Mix
  1. Combine tomatoes, basil, shallot, oil, balsamic, salt, and pepper. Toss gently.
Cook the Shrimp
  1. Season shrimp and sauté in oil or butter for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Assemble
  1. Spread a thin layer of plain cream cheese over each crostini.
  2. Pipe a decorative swirl of basil cream cheese over one-third of the surface.
  3. Add one shrimp next to the swirl.
  4. Tuck a small lettuce leaf beneath or behind the shrimp.
  5. Spoon tomato mix onto the remaining third of the crostini.
  6. Serve immediately.

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