Gourmet Monte Cristo Ham and Gruyère Crostini

Ingredients

• •1 large baguette, thinly sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• •2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• •1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• •4 ounces thinly sliced gourmet ham (such as Black Forest or Prosciutto Cotto)
• •4 ounces Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
• •1/4 cup high-quality raspberry preserves
• •1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
• •Pinch of powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Prep Steps

1. 1Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the thinly sliced baguette rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2. 2Lightly brush each baguette slice with melted unsalted butter. Bake for 8-10 minutes minutes, or until the crostini are lightly golden and crisp.
3. 3Remove the crostini from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on each toasted crostini.
4. 4Top each crostini with a small piece of thinly sliced gourmet ham, followed by a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Gruyère cheese.
5. 5Return the crostini to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the Gruyère cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. 6Carefully remove the crostini from the oven. Top each with a small dollop of high-quality raspberry preserves.
7. 7Garnish with finely chopped fresh chives and, if desired, a delicate dusting of powdered sugar before serving immediately.