Description
This Fresh Tomato Goat Cheese Crostini Delight is a simple yet elegant appetizer featuring crispy baguette slices topped with a savory mixture of ripe tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and fresh basil. Drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and optional balsamic glaze, it’s perfect for entertaining or a light snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 whole Baguette (Sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
Topping
- 2-3 medium Ripe Tomatoes (Preferably heirloom or vine-ripened, diced)
- 4 ounces Goat Cheese (Creamy and high-quality)
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (Torn or chopped)
Dressings & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (For drizzling over crostini)
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic Glaze (Optional, for drizzling)
- Salt to taste (Sea salt)
- Pepper to taste (Freshly cracked black pepper)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Baguette: Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch thick rounds and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle the sliced baguette rounds with olive oil and spread it evenly over each slice.
- Bake Crostini: Bake the baguette slices in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare Tomato Mixture: Dice the ripe tomatoes and season them with salt and freshly cracked black pepper in a mixing bowl to enhance flavor.
- Add Goat Cheese: Crumble the goat cheese into the tomatoes and gently combine to create a creamy topping mixture.
- Cool Crostini: Remove the baked crostini from the oven and let them cool slightly to prevent wilting the toppings.
- Assemble Crostini: Spoon the tomato and goat cheese mixture evenly onto each crostini slice.
- Add Basil: Sprinkle torn or chopped fresh basil leaves over the top for a burst of freshness and aroma.
- Drizzle Balsamic Glaze: Optionally drizzle balsamic glaze over the assembled crostini for added sweetness and tang.
- Serve: Serve immediately while the crostini are warm and crispy for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes work especially well.
- For a crunchier crostini, bake a few minutes longer but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Balsamic glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweet and tangy contrast.
- Can be prepared ahead but assemble just before serving to keep crostini crisp.
