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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe



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.

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe

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.  

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe

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.  

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe

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.

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe

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—Easy Entertaining Recipe






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!


Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini—Easy Entertaining Recipe

67 comments:

  1. The cutting board looks adorable, Amy, I'm looking for a perfect cutting board :( Do you know any good ones? Have you ever tried raw nut cheese before? It's soooooo tasty!

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    1. This is one of my favorite cutting board. It's a bamboo one. I always wanted a hard wood one but those are quite expensive and heavy. Guess I'll just add that to my Christmas wish list! hahaha....Raw Nut Cheese sounds wonderful, don't think I've ever tried that before. When can I get those?

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  2. Having something very similar next Sat..for a celebration at my daughters..Such pretty clics Amy:)

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    1. Thanks. Glad you like this type of simple appetizers too. :) Have a wonderful celebration.

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  3. Love those crostini! They are easy quick to make and so beautifully presented, Amy.

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    1. Thank you, Angie. Yes, I love how simple it is and the guest can help themselves putting the cristini together.

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  4. We love these crostini. We like goat cheese, tomatoes (cherry), olives... All of them are so delicious...
    Good weekend, Amy.

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    1. Thank you, Laurel. Glad you love these ingredients too. :)

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  5. love goat cheese...dish looks yummy...lovely presentation...

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    1. Thank you, Gayathri. :) Glad you love this appetizer.

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  6. Amy, I love your crostini! So colourful and so yummy I'm sure. Snacks are always my favourite option for entertaining: I don't need to stay in the kitchen and the atmosphere is more cool than when I cook a "proper" dinner. I will keep this wonderful idea in mind.

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    1. Thank you, Sissi. Glad you like this entertaining appetizer recipe. :)

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  7. Hi Amy , this is a wonderful dish for the holidays , love goat cheese thanks for sharing :)

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  8. wow, look at the color, so georgeous...
    i guess i'm pleased just by seeing it, i bet it taste refreshing and yet creamy too!

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like it. Yes, I love that it's so colorful with the different ingredients. :)

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  9. What lovely little appetizers! So pretty and colorful!

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  10. Oh I definitely needed this - thank you!

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    1. Thank you, CQUEK. Glad you like the recipe.

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  11. Hi Amy, these beautiful and colourful crostini are prefer to serve during party. Thank you for your great idea :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Esther. Glad you like this appetizer recipe. Have a wonderful week.

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  12. Hello Amy, your crostini are so colourful and pretty. Your little girl sure has a taste for healthy food. I like food like this. Easy to be eaten too.

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    1. Thank you, Mun. I agree, I'm glad my kids love rather healthy food. :) No need to fight them to eat veggies at all.

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  13. Hey Amy, the crostini really looks lovely! Man, I can feel my mouth watering at the sight of it... =)

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    1. Thank you, Charlotte.Glad you like these crostini. i think the mission of my photo is accomplished. ;)

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  14. Your pics look amazing - I love the pretty vibrant colors:) Your 4 year old girl has such wonderful taste, I would be so proud to serve these appetizers at any gathering or party - they look fantastic!

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    1. Thank you, Kelly! I agree, my Little Girl always surprise me with your special taste. :) Glad you like these appetizers too.

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  15. Oh yummy! I love the taste of goat cheese, am sure those crostini taste amazing cos they look delicious!

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    1. Thank you, Jeannie. Glad you like these crostini too.

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  16. I so feel like wanting a bite right now...very inviting clicks

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    1. Thank you, Amrita. Glad you like the picture.

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  17. Beautiful photos! What a nice little dish to serve anytime, anywhere. So pretty and delicious.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. ;) Glad you love this appetizer too.

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  18. Absolutely crave worth! This looks amazing! I wish my 5 year old would eat like your daughter. He use to be an adventurous eater and now he's very selective. This recipe has inspired me to host a party and make this for my friends.

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    1. Thank you, Dear. I guess the kids do go through phrases. My older used to eat EVERYTHING...and now, he's going through that selective phrase too! Wish you a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.

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  19. Hi Amy, wow.. that's look really inviting and delightful. Lovely presentation and nice plating.

    Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Amelia. Glad you like this easy recipe. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  20. A visual feast for the eyes.
    Now, all I need is some nice red wine :) Xx

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    1. Thank you. :) Oh...some red wine would be lovely with these crostini. ;)

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  21. I love crostini! And with goat cheese? Please. ;-) Good stuff - thanks.

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  22. Your little girl definitely has grown-up tastes, Amy. But why wouldn't she when she's got a gourmet mom!

    Self-serve crostini is definitely a party pleaser. Great idea!

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  23. I love the rainbow of colors on your crostini and this is a must recipe for the busy upcoming gatherings. My boys are a bit older so cant judge if they have grown up tastes or kid tastes. I think growing up around the world has taught them to try manner different dishes. They may not like all of them but they have to try them. Just like your theme.Utry it.... Take Care, BAM

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  24. Amy - This looks so good...pretty and colorful..The best part is that its easy :)

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  25. Love the colors in this dish!! And how easy it is, of course!

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  26. Mighty easy and an absolutely colorful starter.
    Love the pictures and the goat cheese in it, oh yummy.

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  27. These are so cute, I love the flavors from the varieties of olives and tomatoes..and yes, the herbed goat cheese to bring all them together...so festive!
    Amy, thank you so much for your thoughtful words, I really appreciate.
    Have a wonderful week ahead :D

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  28. Yes, your daughter has a mature palate. Lucky you! This combo of toppings sounds perfect for a gathering...easy and delicous!!

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  29. With toppings like those, any kid would love crostini! And these look worthy of loving!

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  30. Yum, love the toppings and pictures! Great assortment.

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  31. Nice colorful pictures! Sounds so great and I put on my party food list.

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  32. I'm not exactly a fan of goat cheese, but love your plating & the vegetables you paired with ^_^

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  33. Hi Amy! This is so delicious and so simple to put together and serve ! It's one of our go-to meals when I'm not in the mood to cook. Love your photos too - beautiful !!

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  34. yum!!! This recipe sounds fantastic with some wine !

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  35. Gorgeous presentation! And, of course, it looks SO yummy! Hugs, Amy! T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  36. Wonderfully presented! Looks so fresh and delicious.

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  37. What a awesome small bite!!! Who wouldnt love these!

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  38. I totally know what you mean about wanting an appetizer that's easy enough to prepare ahead so you can enjoy your guests! This crostini looks delicious!

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  39. My kids have grown up taste buds also. Awesome!

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