Goat Cheese Crostini: A Simple, Savory Appetizer

what is goat cheese crostini

Goat cheese crostini is a delicious and simple appetizer that can be served at any time of the year. It is made with sliced toasted baguette, topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar. The simple ingredients and easy preparation make it a perfect choice for parties or get-togethers. The versatility of this dish allows for various toppings and ingredients to be used, such as balsamic glaze, tomatoes, fruits, vegetables, or different types of cheese. It is a great option for those who enjoy a blend of savory and sweet flavors.

Characteristics Values
Type Appetizer
Main Ingredients Sliced toasted baguette, goat cheese, fresh herbs, honey, olive oil
Variations Tomato, balsamic vinegar, cured meats, veggies, salmon, cream cheese, mozzarella, rosemary, basil, mint, peaches, cherries, tomato, salted cucumber, roasted red pepper, balsamic vinegar, fig jam, walnuts, thyme, caramelized onions, strawberry slices, grilled chicken, corn, peaches
Season All year long
Wine Pairing Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais, light Pinot Noir

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Goat Cheese Crostini with Honey

Ingredients:

  • Baguette
  • Goat cheese
  • Honey (hot or regular)
  • Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil, or mint)
  • Fresh fruit or vegetables (optional)
  • Cured meats or other toppings (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350-375°F (190°C). Slice a baguette at an angle into approximately 12-14 pieces and arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake the toasts for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway. The edges of the bread should be a nice golden brown.

Remove the crostini toasts from the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes while preparing the toppings. In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of goat cheese onto each baguette slice. Sprinkle fresh thyme over the goat cheese layer and add other toppings of your choice. Finally, drizzle the honey over the top of each crostini and serve.

Variations:

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Goat Cheese Crostini with Fig Jam

Goat Cheese Crostini is an easy appetizer to make for parties or get-togethers. It is made with sliced toasted baguette, topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar. The simple ingredients can be prepared in various ways and combined with different toppings, making it a versatile dish that can be served all year long.

Ingredients:

  • Goat cheese, aka chevre, is a tangy, tart, creamy cheese made from goat's milk. It is relatively mild in flavor and becoming more and more popular. Look for a good quality soft goat cheese.
  • Fig jam can be purchased at high-end grocery stores or made at home. You can also use quince jam, a.k.a. membrillo, or other preserved jams or marmalades such as prune or date preserves.
  • Baguette: Use a long and thin crusty French baguette, sliced at an angle into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
  • Olive oil: Lightly brush each slice of baguette with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before baking.
  • Fresh herbs: Thyme is a popular choice, but you can also use rosemary, basil, or mint.
  • Optional toppings: Cured meats, fresh fruits (such as peaches or cherries), or veggies (such as tomato, salted cucumber, or roasted red pepper).

Instructions:

  • Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Slice the baguette and brush the slices with olive oil.
  • Bake the slices for about 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  • Spread a layer of goat cheese onto each slice of baguette.
  • Top with a dollop of fig jam and a sprinkle of thyme leaves.
  • For an extra touch, drizzle the crostini with honey or balsamic vinegar.
  • Serve within 2 hours for optimal crunchiness.

Garnish with a fried sage leaf or a sprig of thyme for a pop of color.

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Goat Cheese Crostini with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

  • Baguette
  • Goat cheese
  • Tomatoes
  • Fresh herbs (such as thyme and chives)
  • Honey or balsamic glaze
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Garlic

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch thick slices on a diagonal. Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes or up to 15 minutes, or until the bread is toasted to your desired level of crispiness.

While the bread is toasting, prepare the tomato mixture by combining quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir until fully combined.

Once the bread is toasted, spread each slice with a layer of goat cheese, dividing it evenly among the slices. Top the goat cheese with a spoonful of the tomato mixture. Drizzle each crostini with honey or balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • You can make the components ahead of time and assemble the crostini just before serving.
  • If you want to prevent the crostini from getting mushy, you can allow your guests to assemble the toasts themselves.
  • Goat cheese crumbles can be difficult to spread, so it is recommended to buy a log of goat cheese instead.
  • If you don't like goat cheese, you can substitute it with Boursin cheese or herbed cream cheese.

cycheese

Goat Cheese Crostini with Balsamic Vinegar

Goat Cheese Crostini is an easy appetizer to prepare. It is made with sliced toasted baguette, topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar. The simple ingredients make this crostini appetizer an easy go-to for parties or get-togethers.

Ingredients:

  • Baguette
  • Goat cheese
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh herbs (such as thyme and chives)
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients:

  • Honey
  • Fruits or vegetables of your choice (such as tomatoes, peaches, or cherries)
  • Meats (such as smoked salmon or cured meats)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the baguette at an angle to provide a perfect canvas for your crostini. Brush the bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted.

While the bread is toasting, prepare the balsamic reduction by bringing the balsamic vinegar to a gentle boil in a small pot over medium heat. Let it reduce by half into a thicker syrup, then set it aside.

In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with olive oil, herbs, and a pinch of salt until well combined and light and spreadable.

Once the bread is toasted, spread a layer of the herbed goat cheese onto each slice. If desired, top with sliced or roasted fruits or vegetables, or meats. Finally, drizzle the balsamic reduction over the crostini. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips:

You can experiment with different types of bread, cheeses, and toppings to create your own unique crostini. You can also make the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving. Goat Cheese Crostini is a versatile appetizer that can be served at any time of the year, from casual barbecues to elegant dinner parties.

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Goat Cheese Crostini with Salmon

Ingredients

  • Goat cheese
  • Smoked salmon
  • Bread (baguette)
  • Olive oil
  • Honey
  • Lemon zest
  • Fresh or dried dill
  • Capers
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: cucumber, crème fraiche, horseradish, everything bagel seasoning, arugula

Method

  • Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick slices.
  • Brush each slice with olive oil on both sides.
  • Toast the bread in the oven at 350-375°F for 7-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.
  • While the bread is toasting, prepare the goat cheese spread. Mix the goat cheese with honey, lemon zest, and dill in a small bowl. You can also add in capers, salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired.
  • Once the bread has toasted, spread the goat cheese mixture onto each slice.
  • Top with a small piece of smoked salmon.
  • Garnish with fresh dill, chopped capers, and/or more lemon zest.
  • Serve immediately.

Variations

This recipe can be adapted to include other ingredients you may have on hand:

  • Cucumbers: Add thinly sliced cucumbers for a fresh taste.
  • Honey: Drizzle honey over the goat cheese for a sweeter option.
  • Cheese: Swap out the goat cheese for cream cheese, brie, or mozzarella.
  • Herbs: Change up the herbs—try rosemary, basil, or mint instead of dill.
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Frequently asked questions

Goat cheese crostini is an appetizer made with sliced toasted baguette topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey. It is an easy-to-make appetizer for parties or get-togethers.

There are many variations of goat cheese crostini that you can make. Some popular options include tomato goat cheese crostini, figgy goat cheese crostini, and goat cheese crostini with caramelized onions. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as balsamic vinegar, fresh fruits, cured meats, or veggies.

To make goat cheese crostini, start by toasting slices of baguette. Then, spread a layer of goat cheese on each slice of bread. You can mix the goat cheese with olive oil, herbs, and seasonings in a food processor to create a whipped texture. Finally, add your desired toppings, such as honey, balsamic vinegar, fruits, or veggies.

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