Crostini with Goat Cheese, Pesto, Roasted Tomatoes, and a Balsamic Drizzle
It’s been so hot here lately so we’ve been eating a lot of finger foods for dinner. I served these delicious crostini with goat cheese, pesto, roasted tomatoes, and a balsamic drizzle on a recent evening before my daughter’s upcoming trip and we all LOVED them. My daughter has been studying Mandarin for three years and was one of the lucky students chosen by Portland State University’s Confucius Society for a two-week trip to Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou to immerse herself in the Chinese language & their culture with other Mandarin students from throughout Oregon. It is very exciting for her and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I’ll admit that it has been very hard for me. She is only 15 (although she would say 15 1/2) and this is her first trip away from home…of course, it had to be all the way to China! Thankfully we have raised a very strong, responsible, and respectful young lady and I know she is going to have an amazing time and the memories from this trip will be cherished for a lifetime. I also know I won’t be sleeping well for the next couple of weeks so bear with me. I do think I will be making lots of comfort food though so stay tuned. Send good thoughts her way if you can. Thank you!
How to Make Crostini with Goat Cheese, Pesto, Roasted Tomatoes, and a Balsamic Drizzle
Make the pesto – click here for the recipe.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place the grape tomatoes and sliced garlic in a baking dish then drizzle with the olive oil. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Place into the oven and roast for 12-15 minutes, or until ready to burst. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Cut the baguette into thin slices then place them on a baking sheet. Place them into the oven and bake for 5-6 minutes, or until toasted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a bit.
Spread each baguette slice with some goat cheese. Spoon a bit of pesto on top of the cheese then top with a few roasted tomatoes followed by a drizzle of some balsamic glaze.
Serve immediately. Enjoy.
Ingredients
- Pesto - click link up above for recipe
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 clove of garlic sliced thinly
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- Pinch of crushed pepper flakes to taste
- 1 baguette cut into thin slices
- Goat cheese
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Make the pesto - click up above for the recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the grape tomatoes and sliced garlic in a baking dish then drizzle with the olive oil.
- Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Place into the oven and roast for 17-20 minutes, or until ready to burst.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Cut the baguette into thin slices then place them on a baking sheet.
- Place them into the oven and bake for 5-6 minutes, or until toasted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a bit.
- Spread each baguette slice with some goat cheese.
- Spoon a bit of pesto on top of the cheese then top with a few roasted tomatoes followed by a drizzle of some balsamic glaze.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy.
We have a terrible summer here…it’s rainy, cold and my tomato plants ain’t happy about it. These crostini look wonderfully delicious and summery 🙂
What a great appetizer – especially for the summer.
These looks wonderful Pam ! I love crostinis ! xo
Oh my gosh, I would be a nervous wreck!! You’re a stronger woman than I am.
i’m not sure i could handle going to china myself, much less have my daughter go without me! you must be raising quite an independent lady!
love this app. 🙂