One of my favourite things is to cook for loved ones and host a party! That’s what this summer is all about here at Gastro Senses, and today we’re kicking off that theme with Goat Cheese Crostini Summer Party!
I’m finally back from vacation! If you are following me on Instagram you know that I was taking a little digital detox while my family visited us from Ukraine. I’m feeling so refreshed and recharged. We spent our days outside exploring and enjoying the summer, breathing the fresh air, laughing nonstop and did basically doing anything that kept me away from my phone. It was the best July ever! ☀️🙌
The most important thing for me, while I was entertaining my family, was having quick and easy summer appetizer ideas. And these goat cheese crostini are my new favourite way to entertain. I’m 100% sure that you’re all going to love the concept! Grilled bread, creamy goat cheese with lots of toppings and, voila – your crostini summer party is done! Are you on board?
Great! Here’s the deal…
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI
It all starts with a few key ingredients, and the most important one is grilled bread. This is essential! The bread is SO important here as it’s an ample essence to the recipe. I used a rustic baguette that I bought at Whole Foods. Toast the bread in the oven (or on the grill) with just a little olive oil and salt.
Then spread the goat cheese which is the perfect blank canvas to show off both savoury and sweet creations. I like to use a simple creamy goat cheese log. Make sure the goat cheese is at room temperature so that it’s easily spreadable. Not a big deal if you forget to take it out of the fridge, but it’s just a little harder to uniformly spread onto the bread.
From here, you can build it up with any kind of assorted toppings you’d like. Here are my favourite: Balsamic Strawberries and Basil, Grilled Peaches and Honey, Prosciutto and Figs, Avocado and Grilled Corn, Tomato Bruschetta and last but not least Figs and Caramelized Onions.
These crostini scream summer entertaining and are the perfect way to use up that fresh farmers market produce from now until fall. Trust me, once you try these crostini you’re not far from your very own Goat Cheese Crostini Summer Party!
Goat Cheese Crostini Summer Party
Ingredients
- 1 large baguette sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- olive oil for drizzling
- 1 log of goat cheese at room temperature
Balsamic Strawberry Crostini
- 1/2 cup ripe strawberries sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped
- balsamic vinegar reduction for drizzling
Grilled Peaches and Honey Crostini
- 3 ripe peaches
- honey for drizzling
- toasted pumpkin seeds
Prosciutto and Figs Crostini
- prosciutto
- fresh figs sliced
- honey for drizzling
Avocado and Grilled Corn Crostini
- corn on the cob
- 2 avocados mashed with the fork
- crumbled feta
Tomato Bruschetta Crostini
- 1 cup cherry or roma tomatoes diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped
- 1 small shallot diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- balsamic vinegar reduction for drizzling
- salt and pepper to taste
Figs and Caramelized Onions Crostini
- 1 large sweet onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
- fresh figs sliced
Instructions
- Heat a grill over medium high heat. Generously drizzle the bread with olive oil on both sides. Using a pair of tongs, transfer the slices of bread to the grill and cook for a few minutes until grill marks are present. Flip and continue to grill the bread on the other side for a minute more. Remove and set aside.
- Grill the peaches and corn as well. Set everything aside.
Balsamic Strawberry Crostini
- Spread the goat cheese on bread and top with strawberry slices. Sprinkle with fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction.
Grilled Peaches and Honey Crostini
- Spread the goat cheese on bread and top with slices of grilled peaches. Drizzle with honey and top with pumpkin seeds.
Prosciutto and Figs Crostini
- Spread the goat cheese on bread and top with prosciutto and fresh figs. Drizzle with honey.
Avocado and Grilled Corn Crostini
- Spread the goat cheese on bread. Top with mashed avocado, charred corn, crumbled feta and season with salt and pepper.
Tomato Bruschetta Crostini
- Spread the goat cheese on bread. In a small bowl toss together tomatoes, shallot, basil and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Pile the bruschetta on top of the goat cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction.
Figs and Caramelized Onions Crostini
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat and add onion, thyme, salt and sugar. Cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are caramelized. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Spread the goat cheese on bread. Arrange fig slices and top with caramelized onions.
More Delicious Summer Entertaining Recipes:
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Pita Pockets – so simple and so flavourful!
Garlic Thyme Fondant Potatoes with Grilled Octopus – tender homemade octopus and melt-in-your mouth potatoes. This dish has it all for all the seafood lovers!
Homemade Plombir Ice Cream – there’s no summer without ice cream. This homemade version will knock your socks off!
Creamy Stuffed Mushrooms – so easy to throw together. They’re great for parties, and the variations are endless.
Wow! Some of the most beautiful crostini ever! I don’t think I’d have a heart to eat them. They are like a work of art. But they do look incredibly delicious!
awww thank you so much sweet Julia!
What a fun idea! I love the grilled corn bits! Brilliant!
awww thank you so much Mimi!
I seriously want to frame those photos and hang them in my kitchen. So gorgeous! I can only imagine how amazing they taste!
Thank you so so so much Jo!
Such great Ideas – so simple, but great inspiration. These will be showing up this week on movie night! Thx! Diane | Kitchen Bliss
Thank you so much Diane! I hope everyone loves them!
Lily, these are stunning! Love all the flavour combos and the photography is amazing. They are such a great idea for an easy appetizer. Glad you had a nice visit with family this summer!
aww thanks so much sweet Leanne!
Aren’t these the most beautiful appetizers ever?! I am loving the sound of the strawberry balsamic combination! Yum!
Thanks so much Lizzy! It’s my favorite too!
What a gorgeous plate of crostinis.
Thanks Kristen!