Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe

Stepping into the last quarter of the year, it usually means lots of gathering and parties going on for different occasions.  Whether it’s Game Days, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year, we love to have our family and friends gathered to spend those special times together.  And of course, we got to share lots of food when we have companies around.  But I love easy entertaining recipes that I can prepare ahead of time, or something that my guests can help themselves at the serving table, such as t his Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini!  That way, I can enjoy the party with my guests, instead of “disappearing” into the kitchen.



Crostini, means "little toast" in Italian.  It’s simply an Italian appetizer consisting of small slices of toasted bread with toppings. The topping usually include a variety of different cheeses, meats, and/or vegetables.  With the wide selection of toppings available, crostini is pretty much a blank canvas craving for your imagination to make it looks beautiful and tastes scrumptious.  This crostini would be a wonderful appetizer for any party.  Simply toast up your baguettes and have the toppings arranged on a big platter and have your guests help themselves to create their own crostini.  



This “self-serve” Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini was inspired by my Baby Girl.  It has all her favorite ingredients in one little toast.  I love using French or Italian baguettes for my little toasts because they toasted up nicely with a golden crust and the inside stays nice and soft.  These toppings are my Baby Girl’s favorite ingredients, that’s why I have them in my kitchen all the time.  Creamy goat cheese that I jazzed up with some fresh herbs, green and black olive for a salty and briny bite, and sweet and juicy heirloom cherry tomatoes to balance out the flavors.  You can put the kosher salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes on the side so your guests can sprinkle on as much or as little as they preferred.  



I know, who would have guessed that a 4 year old girl would love goat cheese, olives and tomatoes, right?  I certainly didn’t appreciate these flavors until I was a grown up!  I’m always surprised by my kids’ sophisticated palates!   Are your kids like mine too, with a “grown up” taste?  Or do they prefer kids friendly ingredients?  I’m curious to know.



I hope you enjoy today’s Easy Entertaining Appetizer Recipe.  I’ll share more recipes for entertaining guests in the near future, so you can get some ideas and inspirations when the parties roll around.  Until next time, please take care.  









Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini: (Printalbe Recipe)

1 French or Italian baguette, cut into 3/4-inch slices
extra virgin olive oil, for toasting
4 oz goat cheese
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup green olives, sliced
2 to 3 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, sliced
kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes serve on the side

Preheat oven to 400 degree F.   Place the baguette slices on the baking sheet.   Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the baguette slices with olive oil.  Bake until lightly toasted, about 6 to 8 minutes. 

In a small bowl, stir the thyme into the goat cheese.  To serve, place everything on a big platter for your guest to assemble their crostini.

To assemble, spread a thin layer of goat cheese on your toast, top with olive and tomato slices.  Sprinkle with kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.   Enjoy!