ARTICHOKE, CRAB, and PARMESAN CROSTINI

These crostini would make nice appetizers or even a delicious first course.

Ingredients:

8 slices (1/4 inch thick) of a nice, flavourful bread (I used garlic and rosemary bread)
olive oil
freshly ground black pepper

lemon zest

6 oz marinated artichoke hearts, drained and patted dry

1 (4-ounce) can lump crab meat, drained
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (save a little to use as a garnish)

3 tablespoon mayonaise

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (plus more dill for decoration)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

juice and zest of half a lemon 

Directions :

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Brush the bread slices on both sides with olive oil and season them with black pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. You'll need to turn them over during baking so that they can toast on both sides. Once they are done, set them aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, make the topping. Chop the artichokes finely, and place them in a bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese, the dill and parsley, the black pepper, the crab meat, the mayonaise and the lemon juice. 
• Dividing evenly, spoon the topping onto the crostini, and if desired garnish with additional Parmesan. 
• Place the assembled crostini back in the oven for about 2 minutes, just to warm the topping and to give the cheese a chance to melt slightly.
• Take out of the oven and top lightly with the lemon zest and a tiny sprig of dill. 

These little guys are easy to make and very easy to eat!