Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Crostini
Category: Appetizers
Serves: 4
These Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Crostini are a perfect combination of savory, smoky flavors and creamy cheese, offering a delicious bite-sized treat for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing them as an appetizer for a dinner party or a delightful snack for yourself, these crostini will surely impress.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Baguette | 250g |
| Goat cheese (Stracapra) | 200g |
| Mini eggplants (Melanzane Perlina) | 100g |
| Belgian endive (Indivia Belga) | 100g |
| Fresh thyme | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | To taste |
| Fine salt | To taste |
| Cherry tomatoes (Pomodorini Ciliegino) | 60g |
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 290 kcal |
| Protein | 9g |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sodium | 300mg |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Grilled Vegetables:
- Start by prepping the Belgian endive. Remove the outer leaves and slice the endive in half.
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly grease it with a bit of olive oil.
- Once the pan is hot, place the endive halves on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure both sides are nicely charred.
-
Grill the Eggplants:
- While the endive is grilling, rinse the mini eggplants and pat them dry. Trim the ends.
- Once the endive is done, grill the eggplants for another 3-4 minutes, turning them as needed to cook evenly and get a nice char on all sides.
-
Prepare the Baguette and Cheese:
- Slice the baguette into 4 thick slices and place them on a baking sheet.
- Cut the goat cheese (Stracapra) into small cubes, setting aside a few cubes for topping later.
- Once the vegetables are grilled, arrange the grilled eggplant slices and endive halves on top of the baguette slices.
-
Add Tomatoes and Cheese:
- Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes. Distribute them evenly over the crostini.
- Sprinkle the remaining goat cheese cubes over the crostini for extra richness and flavor.
-
Bake the Crostini:
- Preheat your oven to 200ยฐC (about 400ยฐF) on static heat.
- Place the crostini in the oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt and the bread becomes crispy.
-
Finish and Serve:
- While the crostini are baking, pluck the leaves from a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme and chop them finely.
- Once the crostini are ready, remove them from the oven, sprinkle with the freshly chopped thyme, and add a pinch of salt to taste.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Your Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Crostini are now ready to serve. They are perfect as an appetizer or a light snack, bursting with fresh flavors and a creamy texture from the goat cheese.
Enjoy these flavorful crostini as part of your next gathering or a cozy night inโeither way, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
