Pumpkin Crostini With Goat Cheese And Balsamic Glaze Food

GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the baguette into thin slices on the bias (diagonally). Place the slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, until golden and crispy. Cool to room temperature: they'll crisp up even more as they cool. (If making in advance, store the plain, un-topped crostini up to 5 days in a sealed container at room temperature.)
• Top each crostini with a smear of soft goat cheese, a drizzle of honey, and roughly chopped fresh herbs. Add fresh ground black pepper and serve immediately.

ROASTED PUMPKIN AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Pile the diced pumpkin on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and toss with your hands to lightly coat. Spread evenly and sprinkle with sage, salt, and pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add leek and cook until softened and beginning to caramelize, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove roasted pumpkin from the oven, add to the pan, and stir to combine.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Slice the baguette at an angle into 1/2-inch slices. Brush 1 side of each slice with remaining oil.
• Cook on the preheated grill until lightly browned, about 1 1/2 minutes per side.
• Remove from the grill and rub the garlic clove over the oiled side of each baguette slice 3 to 4 times. Spread goat cheese over each slice and top with a spoonful of the pumpkin-leek mixture. Drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

PUMPKIN CROSTINI WITH GOAT CHEESE AND BALSAMIC GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the pumpkin hummus: In a food processor combine the garbanzo beans including the liquid from the can, tahini, pumpkin puree, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cumin. Process until combined. With the processor running, add the olive oil a little at a time until the sauce is smooth but still thick. Occasionally stop the machine to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula so everything is processed. If it looks like a paste with oil floating in it, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the ice water and pulse again to help it emulsify. Taste, and don't be afraid to add more salt, lemon juice or cumin to your preference. Reserve.
• For the crostini: Put the butter in small skillet and turn the heat to medium. Once the butter melts, put the sage leaves in the pan and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the sage leaves from the pan with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• Cover a baking sheet with foil and place the bread slices on the sheet. Drizzle each with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until toasted but soft on the inside, about 3 minutes. Pull the crostini from the oven and carefully rub the top side of each piece with the garlic clove.
• Top each crostini with about 1 tablespoon pumpkin hummus and a fried sage leaf. Crumble some goat cheese on each, add a few pomegranate seeds and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

BALSAMIC-ROASTED PUMPKIN WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place pumpkin onto a secure cutting board. Cut the top and bottom off the pumpkin, removing as much of the stem as possible. Use a sharp vegetable peeler or a paring knife to remove the pumpkin peel. Cut pumpkin in half, and use a spoon to scoop out seeds and strings. Trim away any pieces of stem that may remain. Cut each pumpkin half into 1/2-inch strips. Chop each strip into 1/2-inch cubes. Place cubed pumpkin into a large bowl.
• Mix balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Pour over pumpkin pieces and toss to thoroughly coat. Pour pumpkin into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Stir gently, then continue baking until pumpkin is softened and slightly caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes more, stirring again if needed. Serve pumpkin warm, topped with goat cheese and fresh oregano.

BALSAMIC-GLAZED PEAR AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Slice pears stem side up into 12 quarter-inch width vertical planks. Cut large slices in half lengthwise for a total of 48 slices.
• Heat vinegar, butter, and honey in large frying pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until reduced by half, about 2 tablespoons. Add pear slices and continue cooking for 1 minute, turning once.
• Place 2 pear slices on each baguette round and top with 1 teaspoon goat cheese. Sprinkle almonds over cheese and garnish with fresh pepper, if desired.
• *To toast almonds, place in heavy frying pan and toast over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes or until tan with toasted aroma.