Description
What’s better than cheese and bread when it comes to an appetizer? Try this crostini with nuts, honey, and pomegranate.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 large French baguette, thinly sliced
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces goat cheese, slightly softened
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh herbs (thyme and rosemary recommended)
- 1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare the Baguette Slices:
- Place the thinly sliced baguette pieces on a baking sheet.
- Lightly brush each slice with olive oil.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper on each slice.
- Flip the slices over and repeat the brushing and seasoning on the other side.
3. Toast the Baguette:
- Place the baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake the slices for 7-10 minutes, or until they turn lightly golden and crisp.
- Once done, remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Herbed Goat Cheese:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the slightly softened goat cheese with the minced fresh herbs.
- Mix until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the cheese.
5. Assemble the Crostini:
- Once the toasted baguette slices have cooled, spread a generous amount of the herbed goat cheese onto each slice.
- Sprinkle the chopped toasted walnuts over the cheese.
- Add a few pomegranate seeds on top for a burst of color and tangy flavor.
- Finish by drizzling a touch of honey over each assembled crostini.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
- Arrange the crostini on a serving platter and serve immediately.
Notes
- Bread Choice: While a French baguette is suggested for its crisp texture and bite-sized slices, you can experiment with other types of bread like ciabatta or sourdough. Remember, the key is to have a firm bread that can hold up the toppings without becoming soggy.
- Toasting Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts amplifies their flavor. To do this, simply place them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until they’re lightly golden and fragrant.
- Goat Cheese: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, you can substitute with ricotta or feta. These cheeses also pair well with the other ingredients.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor. While thyme and rosemary are recommended, feel free to use other herbs like basil or parsley. If using dried herbs, reduce the quantity to a third because dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Pomegranate: This fruit not only adds a sweet-tart flavor but also a beautiful pop of color. If unavailable, dried cranberries or cherries can be a good alternative.
- Serving Suggestion: This crostini is best served immediately to enjoy the contrast of the crispy bread with the creamy goat cheese. However, if you’re prepping ahead of time, you can prepare the components separately and assemble just before serving to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bites
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 15mg