So apparently sometimes it takes me over a year to actually write a blog post about something I made and shared on Instagram. That’s right, I made these Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini last summer and never wrote up the recipe for you. I’m thinking maybe I didn’t share for two reason.
The first reason: I do a lot of goat cheese crostini and probably wanted to feature a different cheese option, but why break something that simply works? Crostini are one of the easiest appetizer option to make. They also tend to be the biggest crowd pleasers. I use goat cheese because it’s soft enough to spread on the toast and the flavor pairs nicely with both sweet and savory options. You can change out the tomatoes here for peaches or cooked asparagus and I’m thinking you’ll have another winning combo. In fact I know you will with the peaches, since one of my favorite small bites is my Peach Bruschetta—it’s so dang good, if I do say so myself.
A second reason could have been because they are so simple and self explanatory. However, I’m deciding more and more that simple recipes and DIYs need to be featured more. In fact, doable ideas is one of my goals for Tonality Designs. So unlike other recipes you may pin to Pinterest knowing full well you will never make because of the complicated recipes, this simple canapé recipe is something you can confidently pin knowing you will actually make them.
The inspiration and hero of this crostini recipe was the heirloom tomato and all it’s various colors and varieties. Red, yellow, green – not only is each color so vibrant, but each color provides a different texture and taste. For example, the green tomatoes tend to be more firm where the more ripe red tomatoes tend to be more juicy. All the different varieties taste good on their own, but when combined they really are a joy for the taste buds. Tomato season also seems to be at its height in August (US tomato season is June-September), so this is the perfect time of year to make this tomato inspired recipe. And where most recipes that call for heirloom tomatoes you can switch to classic red tomatoes, part of the success (and beauty) of this recipe comes by using the different colors of the heirloom tomato.
Ingredients
- Heirloom tomatoes (Amount depends on size of your tomatoes. Simply pick a variety and if you don’t use them all, add the leftovers to your next salad.)
- 8 oz. creamy goat cheese
- 1 French baguette
- Olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (optional)
- Balsamic glaze (Available at Trader Joe’s or reduce Balsamic vinegar on your stovetop)
- Salt to taste
Directions
- To make the crostini, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice baguette into 1/4 inch pieces. Brush both sides of baguette slices with olive oil and place on baking sheet. If using the garlic, rub each piece of your crostini with your garlic clove as well. This will add a nice garlic flavor to your toast. Place in oven and bake for about 5 minutes and then flip your crostini. Bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, until golden brown.
- While your bread is baking, slice your heirloom tomatoes. After slicing, cut each slice in half or smaller depending on the size of your tomato. Your final tomato slices should be the same size as your baguette slices.
- Once your bread is out of the oven, spread each crostini with goat cheese. Having your goat cheese at room temperature will make it easier to spread.
- Top each crostini with a slice of tomato. Sprinkle with salt and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Top with another tomato slice. Be sure to mix it up and use a different color than your first slice. Sprinkle with salt and this time drizzle with olive oil.
Note how I “sandwiched” the balsamic glaze between the two tomato slices. I did this so that the color of the top heirloom tomato really stood out as the hero of the dish. If I had drizzled the balsamic on top, it would have taken away from the simple beauty; however, of course the flavor would be the same. I just love details.
Want to add another flavor layer? Add a fresh herb like basil. Just sandwich a leaf of basil between the two layers of tomato. Make it yours!
So what do you think? Will you grab yourself a glass of wine and make this? If interested in the wine bag featured above, I actually made it! Just see my DIY Heart Wine Bottle Gift Bag tutorial.
Can we talk about pairings?
The simplicity of the heirloom tomatoes, the rustic feel of the French baguette and the use of the classic combination of balsamic and olive oil just screamed Under the Tuscan Sun to me. So with Italy in mind, I thought sunflowers and an herb garden planted in rustic terra cotta pots created a perfect pairing. Oh, did you think I meant wine pairing? Hehe, see what I did there?
This is truly how my brain works. I love creating an experience that all works together so setting the tone with the decor matching the food just makes me happy. And it’s really what I’m all about creating with Tonality Designs.
As for the wine, I’m honestly not too knowledgable about wine pairings. My philosophy is to serve what you enjoy drinking. I don’t stray far from Chardonnay when it comes to wine, so I’d probably grab a nice Kendall Jackson Chardonnay for me and, if having guests, I’d provide a red option as well.
So have I inspired you? Have I done my job and will you pin this knowing you’ll actually make it? Do you have your own favorite crostini combos? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I love learning from others and I although I’ve made a lot of crostini in my day (for example, my Beet Salad crostini, I know this will not be my last.
