Need an easy, yet impressive appetizer? Cue our Asparagus Ribbon Crostini with Farmer Cheese. This simple, yet classy recipe makes a great conversation starter at your next party, and it’s filled with an incredible creamy texture and smooth flavor thanks to Lifeway Farmer Cheese.
Asparagus is a well-loved veggie packed with gut health benefits, including prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. This bright green veggie is also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. That’s why it makes a terrific veggie to pair with Lifeway Farmer Cheese, our protein-packed cultured cheese rich in live and active probiotic cultures.
Our farmer cheese is also free of added salt and sugar, which gives you full control over how you choose to flavor it. Here, we went the savory route with lemon, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
So next time you want a healthier option for an appetizer or quick snack, look no further than this recipe because it has it all: flavor, protein, fiber, probiotics, vitamins, and more! Now all that’s left to do is head to your local store to find Lifeway Farmer Cheese near you here.
Want more recipes ideas to try with our delicious Lifeway Farmer Cheese? Check those out here!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 20 mins Servings: 12Ingredients
- 12 baguette slices, diagonally cut (1/2 inch thick)
- 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, cut in half
- 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1 tbsp. fresh basil or mint (depending on what you prefer)
- 1 tsp. lemon zest and 1 tbsp. juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and shaved into thin ribbons
- Garnish: fresh lemon zest and fresh basil or mint
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450° F.
- Slice crostini diagonally, and rub each piece with a cut piece of the garlic cloves to help the bread absorb the flavor, then place on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil and bake for 5-10 mins on 450° F or until golden brown.
- Stir together Lifeway Farmer Cheese, lemon juice and zest, chopped fresh basil or mint, and 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
- Trim asparagus, and ribbon them. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
- Spread the Lifeway Farmer Cheese mixture on the toasted crostinis, top with ribbioned asparagus. Top with fresh mint or basil and lemon zest.
