These are not your average nachos. In fact, they’re hardly nachos at all. There are no corn chips in site, there’s no gauc to be found and chili powder is the last thing you’ll ever find on the ingredient list. Yet, dare I say it, these may be my most favorite not-nachos nachos ever! They are seriously epic of the most epic proportions! And YOU GUYS! They’re so easy to make! Like you could make them in your sleep, or a 5 year old could make them while you nap (J/K! You should never let your kids go unsupervised in the kitchen!) and you could most definitely make them while drinking wine and hanging out with friends. Heck, you could even get your friends to help you make them because really, they’re just that simple.

Basically, you use crostini (homemade or store bought) as the “chips”. You load on all the delicious, fresh, flavorful toppings you desire and the creamy heaven that is burrata cheese and then you season the whole thing with lots of Alessi Italian goodness. Their pesto makes a perfectly tasty base and their balsamic glaze and dipping spices are so delectable you’ll want to put on more than you probably should! Then again, when products are so authentic and delicious, who wouldn’t want more of them? Luckily for you, the family owned and operated Alessi Foods makes that possible. They import products that best capture the cuisine of Italy and their homeland of Siciliy, and, as a fellow Italian, this is definitely something I can appreciate. I mean, sometimes I just want to eat a big bowl of Milanese Risotto in Milan, but the reality is that I can’t. I know you all feel me on this one, so don’t worry, Alessi’s products are so spot-on, you’ll almost forget that you aren’t eating them in Italy. But don’t take my word for it. They’re readily available at grocery stores all over and, even easier, they sell them in their Alessi Online Store, meaning you can try them for yourself. Like, you know….maybe to make this thing called burrata nachos?! Just a thought…

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INGREDIENTS

½ pound crostini
Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3.5 ounce jar of Alessi pesto
1 cup (about 1 large handful) of arugula
½ cup marinated artichoke hearts
½ cup chopped roasted red peppers
½ cup olives
½ cup chopped fresh tomatoes (you can also use sun-dried tomatoes)
¼ pound prosciutto
8 ounces burrata cheese
Alessi Traditional Balsamic Glaze
2 tablespoons Alessi Pine Nuts
¼ teaspoon fresh ground Alessi Black Peppercorns
¼- ½ teaspoon Alessi Dipping Spices

INSTRUCTIONS

On a large serving dish or plate (I like to use a baking sheet), spread out the crostini.
Drizzle liberally with olive oil. Then, spread on the pesto.
Add on the remaining toppings. You can do them in any order you prefer, but I like to start with the arugula, then add on the chunkier things (artichoke hearts, peppers, olives, tomatoes) and finish with strips of prosciutto strategically placed on top. Lastly, I finish with the burrata, spreading it out to distribute the creamy cheese evenly over all of the toppings to imitate the melted cheese of traditional nachos.
Finish everything off with a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze…the more the better!
Sprinkle with pine nuts and season with fresh ground pepper as well as Alessi’s Dipping Spices (So good!). Serve immediately (Preferably with some wine!).

NOTES

Feel free to adjust the amounts of toppings to your preference. You can easily do more or less of, or eliminate altogether, whatever you choose. This recipe can also easily be doubled or tripled, making it great for large gatherings or parties.

Thank you to Alessi Foods for partnering on today's post.