As Christmas Day continues to approach at the rate of a runaway freight train (can you tell I’m not quite finished with my shopping yet?), the more ideas I keep needing for food. Dessert for this party, appetizers for that event. Pie duty for Christmas day. I love it, and I’m in my element. I’m also struggling to do the other non food related necessary things for the season, like send out Christmas cards and…ahem…shop.
These crostini were supposed to be a part of my holiday cooking extravaganza, but unfortunately, they ended up getting left behind ๐
I made these crostini the day that I went to a cookie exchange/gingerbread house decorating party, and I was going to bring them to share!
As I was walking out the door (with cookies, decorating kits, and other Christmas cheer in tow) I got a phone call, and I forgot to run upstairs and grab the crostini out of the fridge.
When I was half way to my friend’s house I realized what I’d forgotten, and Taylor called asking, “Did you forget the crostini?”
I smacked my hand on my forehead, “Yes! Dang it!”
There was a few moments of silence on his end.
“Can I eat the crostini?”
“…yes”
So, at least someone enjoyed them. He ate some for breakfast the next day too. Let me tell you, fresh out of the oven toasted crostini is far superior to next day microwaved crostini!
Even though I failed at this, YOU should make these and bring them to your next holiday gathering. If you need a good appetizer recipe, crostini are a great way to do something easy and flexible that looks fancy and tastes fabulous!
All a crostini consists of is sliced toasted baguette and whatever toppings you feel like gracing it with. It’s helpful to have a flavorful spread and maybe something crunchy and fresh.
They can be eaten with your hands, and don’t take long to make at all. If you want to have it ready ahead of time, just prepare all of the toppings the day before, and keep them in the fridge until the baguette is sliced, toasted and ready to go
Let me tell you why they’re so good.
First you slice the baguette, then you brush it with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. It goes in the oven for a few minutes.
Then you spread a delicious mixture of goat cheese and orange zest on each piece. Top that with thinly sliced pear, with is topped with chopped, toasted pecans.
Finish it off with a drizzle of honey, and you are in business! The warm, crunchy, toasted crostini business.
The sharp goat cheese mixed with the creamy toasted pecans and the sweet fresh pear all combine to make one tasty mouthful.
Of course, the fact that they’re so flexible means that you could use thinly sliced apples instead of pears, or walnuts instead of pecans. Substitute whatever you want! That’s the beauty of crostini.
They will cheer up any holiday appetizer table, and you might be getting requests for more when the first batch runs out!
- 1 fresh baguette
- 2 ripe pears, sliced thinly
- 6 oz fresh goat cheese
- 2 tsp orange zest
- ½ cup toasted, chopped pecans
- 2-3 tbl honey
- about ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and adjust oven rack to the top position.
- Slice baguette on a diagonal into ¼" pieces.
- Arrange baguette slices on a jelly roll pan
- Pour olive oil into a small bowl. Brush bread pieces with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Put bread in the oven and watch it closely. You want it toasted and slightly browned, but not totally hard. It took my bread about 7 minutes, but it will vary from oven to oven.
- Add goat cheese and orange zest to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, or until orange zest is fully incorporated.
- Once bread slices are out of the oven, Let them cool for 5-10 minutes and spread with goat cheese mixture.
- Top with a few slices of pear.
- Top with Pecans.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Serve warm.
Raquel @ My California Roots says
OMG I LOVE goat cheese and pears together! Such a killer combo.
I am the most forgetful person in the world, so I totally get how you feel forgetting the corstini at home. I have done that so many times, and it’s so embarrassing! ?
Lindsey Boubel says
Yeah that combo is hard to beat! Yes, I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached…
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
Always looking for quick and delicious appetizers for the holiday season Lindsey! And these surely will not disappoint! These look fabulous! LOVE the goat cheese and pears combo!
Lindsey Boubel says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann!
Anne says
This is so elegant!!! I love how cute and quick they are! Plus, this must be the BEST flavor combination ๐
Lindsey Boubel says
Thanks so much, Anne! The flavors do rock together. Not gonna lie!