Elevate Your Entertaining: Easy Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Herbed Goat Cheese
Imagine a perfectly toasted bite-sized piece of bread, spread generously with creamy, herb-infused goat cheese, and crowned with a vibrant, intensely flavored sun-dried tomato tapenade. This Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Herbed Goat Cheese recipe is not just an appetizer; it’s a statement piece, a delightful, easy, and undeniably elegant solution for all your entertaining needs. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a sophisticated dinner party, these crostini promise to impress with their exquisite balance of flavors and textures.
A Personal Journey: From Goat Cheese Skeptic to Enthusiast
I must confess, I’m generally not a picky eater. Not overly picky, at least. However, I do admit to being particular when it comes to certain culinary standards – yes, salt your pasta water generously; no, never cut into your meat to check if it’s done; and always use unsalted butter unless specified. These are the tenets I live by in the kitchen. Yet, despite my broad palate, there remains a short but significant list of foods I genuinely struggle with, foods I truly wish I loved: lamb, eggplant, sashimi, mango, and, perhaps most surprisingly to many, all “stinky” cheeses.
Yes, you read that last one correctly – all stinky cheeses. This includes popular varieties like blue cheese, Stilton, brie, and the star of today’s recipe, goat cheese. I can almost hear the collective gasp from cheese lovers everywhere! Believe me when I say, I genuinely *want* to appreciate these flavors. I strive to find ways to incorporate them into my cooking, hoping for that moment of culinary enlightenment. This particular appetizer, featuring a carefully prepared goat cheese spread, proved to be one such breakthrough, turning me into a reluctant admirer, at least of this specific preparation.
The Magic Behind This Appetizer
The secret to transforming my goat cheese aversion into an appreciation for this crostini lies in a simple yet effective technique. Instead of serving the goat cheese unadulterated, I took a mild, plain goat cheese and elevated it. I incorporated a generous amount of fresh herbs, specifically Italian flat-leaf parsley and fresh oregano leaves. These vibrant additions don’t just add flavor; they actively brighten the cheese and effectively cut through its inherent pungency, creating a much more approachable profile. To further mellow its distinctive tang, I added a touch of the aromatic oil marinade from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes. This subtle addition helps to calm and smooth out the overall flavor, making the goat cheese incredibly palatable, even for those who usually shy away from it.
Once this delightful herbed goat cheese mixture is ready, it’s artfully spread in a thin layer onto crisp, golden crostini. The final touch is a generous spoonful of our homemade Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade. This combination creates a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures – the crunchy bread, the smooth and tangy herbed goat cheese, and the robust, salty, and slightly sweet tapenade. It’s an appetizer that comes together beautifully, making it perfect for serving at any occasion. So, if you’re already a fan of goat cheese, you’ll undoubtedly adore this recipe. But if you, like me, find yourself on the fence about goat cheese, I urge you to give this recipe a try. You might just find yourself converted!
Crafting the Perfect Crostini Base
The foundation of any great crostini is, of course, the crostini itself. Achieving that perfect crunch without being too hard or burnt is key. A long, skinny baguette is ideal for this, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces on a slight diagonal. This diagonal cut provides a larger surface area for toppings and an elegant presentation. Once sliced, lightly brush both sides of each piece of bread with good quality extra virgin olive oil. This not only adds flavor but also helps the bread crisp up beautifully under the broiler. The broiler works quickly, so it’s crucial to watch your bread constantly, turning once, until it’s golden brown and perfectly toasted. This quick toasting method ensures a wonderfully crunchy base that can stand up to the creamy goat cheese and robust tapenade without becoming soggy.
Assembling Your Masterpiece: Tips for Success
Once your crostini are perfectly toasted and your goat cheese and tapenade mixtures are prepared, it’s time for assembly. The key to a balanced bite is to not overdo it with any single component. A thin, even layer of the herbed goat cheese spread ensures that its tangy creaminess complements, rather than overwhelms, the other flavors. The tapenade, with its concentrated flavors, should be spooned generously on top, allowing its vibrant colors to pop against the white cheese. Consider garnishing with a tiny sprig of fresh parsley or oregano for an added touch of elegance and freshness. These crostini are best assembled just before serving to maintain the crispness of the bread, but the components can be prepared in advance, making your hosting duties much simpler.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
These Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Herbed Goat Cheese are incredibly versatile and can be served in a multitude of settings. They make a fantastic starter for a dinner party, a sophisticated bite for a cocktail hour, or even a light and flavorful addition to a brunch spread. Pair them with a crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio, which will complement the acidity of the goat cheese and the richness of the tapenade. For non-alcoholic options, a sparkling lemon water or a light herbal iced tea would also be delightful. Their vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make them particularly appealing during spring and summer gatherings, but their robust flavors are welcome year-round.
Make-Ahead Tips for Stress-Free Entertaining
One of the best features of this appetizer is how much can be prepared in advance, allowing you to minimize last-minute stress. The sun-dried tomato tapenade can be made up to 2-3 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In fact, its flavors often deepen and meld beautifully after a day or two. Similarly, the herbed goat cheese mixture can be prepared a day in advance and kept chilled. Store it in an airtight container, and allow it to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before spreading, as this makes it easier to work with. The baguette slices can be pre-cut a few hours ahead and stored at room temperature. For optimal crispness, I recommend toasting the crostini on the day of serving, ideally just an hour or two before your guests arrive, and assembling them shortly before presentation. This strategic preparation means you can enjoy your own party without being tied to the kitchen!
Variations and Dietary Notes
While this recipe is perfect as written, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste or ingredients on hand. For the herbed goat cheese, consider adding a touch of fresh thyme, chives, or even a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. If goat cheese isn’t your preference, a creamy feta or a softened cream cheese with herbs could be alternative bases, though the unique tang of goat cheese is truly special in this dish. For the tapenade, you could experiment with adding a very finely minced garlic clove for an extra layer of flavor, or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for added texture. These crostini are naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by substituting the goat cheese with a plant-based cream cheese or cashew-based spread. This flexibility ensures that everyone can enjoy this exquisite appetizer.
Whether you’re looking for an elegant starter, a flavorful snack, or a sophisticated addition to your party spread, these Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Herbed Goat Cheese are sure to be a hit. Their simple preparation belies their complex and satisfying taste, making them a go-to recipe for both seasoned hosts and novice entertainers alike. Give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade and Herbed Goat Cheese
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Ingredients
- 1 long skinny baguette sliced into 1-inch slices on a diagonal
- 4 oz plain goat cheese
- 1 T chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
- 1 T fresh oregano leaves chopped
- ½ c chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil plus 1 t reserved oil
- ¼ c chopped kalamata olives
- 2 T capers
- pinch kosher salt
- pinch fresh cracked pepper
- ¼ t fresh lemon zest
- 1 T very finely diced onion
- ½ T extra virgin olive oil plus more for brushing the bread
Instructions
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Heat the oven broiler. Place the bread slices on a large baking sheet. Brush both sides with olive oil. Toast lightly under the broiler, turning once (watch them, they will cook quickly!)
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In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, parsley, oregano, and 1 t oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes. Set aside.
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In another small bowl, combine the tomatoes, olives, capers, salt, pepper, lemon zest, onion, and 1 T olive oil.
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Take each toasted crostini and spread a thin layer of the goat cheese mixture. Top each with tapenade.