Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini With Balsamic Roasted Grapes Food

BALSAMIC ROASTED GRAPE AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss the grapes with one tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 17-20 minutes, shaking the sheet halfway. The grapes will soften and shrivel a little. Some may burst slightly.
• As the grapes roast, slice the baguette into ½ inch pieces and brush the remaining olive oil over the top of each slice. Place on another baking sheet and bake for 4-6 minutes (at 425 degrees F), until the bread is golden-brown and crispy. Check frequently to make sure the bread does not burn.
• In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, pecans, honey together. Spread a thin layer of the goat cheese mixture on each piece of bread before topping with 2-3 roasted grapes, depending on size. Finish with a light sprinkle of mint and pieces of pecan if you like. Best served immediately*.

WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI WITH BALSAMIC-ROASTED GRAPES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Grease a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and set aside for the crostini.
• Toss together the grapes and the 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with kosher salt and pepper. Top with the sprigs of thyme. Roast on the upper oven rack until the grapes blister, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk to combine the 1/4 cup olive oil with half of the chopped thyme, half of the garlic, a pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds pepper in a small bowl. Brush onto the tops of the baguette slices and place on the oiled baking sheet. While the grapes roast, bake the baguette slices on the lower oven rack for 5 minutes.
• Combine the goat cheese with the lemon zest, honey, remaining 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme and grated garlic and a few grinds pepper in a food processor. Process until well combined, about 1 minute. Stream in the heavy cream with the machine running and process until the goat cheese is aerated and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and pepper.
• Remove the grapes and bread from the oven and set the oven to broil. Flip the crostini. Remove and discard the sprigs of thyme from the grapes and carefully toss the grapes with the balsamic vinegar. Return the grapes to the upper oven rack and the crostini to the lower rack and broil until the grapes are caramelized and the bread is toasted, about 5 minutes -- watch closely, as broilers vary.
• To plate, spread the whipped goat cheese in a shallow bowl, top with the grapes and drizzle with any juices from the baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, thyme leaves and pepper. Place on a platter with the crostini and enjoy.

14+ CROSTINI TOPPING RECIPES: BLACKBERRY BURRATA MINT CROSTINI

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Spread baguette slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil (don't drench them, dry areas are ok) and sprinkle with salt as desired. Flip slices over and repeat so both sides are lightly covered with oil. Bake for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Once toasted, remove from pan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together mint, lemon, olive oil, and a pinch of salt (to taste).
• Layer the following on top of each toasted crostini: 1-2 tablespoons of burrata, freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of salt flakes, 3-4 blackberries, a drizzle of the mint mixture, and a drizzle of honey. Top with additional mint leaves and salt flakes as desired. Serve immediately.

CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice baguette into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices. You can either slice them as rounds or on the diagonal.
• Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush both sides with olive oil. Lightly season one side with salt and pepper.
• Bake 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until bread is crisp and lightly-toasted.* Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite crostini toppings.