Serves 6
This popular Italian appetizer is made with toasted bread rounds that are usually rubbed with a cut clove of garlic and crowned with a savory topping.
Gluten Free
Soy Free
3 garlic cloves
Olive oil
9 ounces fresh baby spinach, chopped
2 tablespoons walnut butter
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt
1 baguette, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts
Finely mince two of the garlic cloves and set aside. Cut the remaining garlic clove in half and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or 1/4 cup of water in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the spinach, stirring to wilt. Stir in the walnut butter, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste, blending the walnut butter into the spinach, stirring until any remaining water is absorbed. Keep warm.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush one side of each slice of bread lightly with olive oil. Place the bread, oiled side up, on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. When the bread is toasted, remove it from the oven and rub the oiled side with the cut sides of the halved garlic clove.
Top each piece of bread with a small amount of the spinach topping. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and serve hot.