Description
Ina Garten’s goat cheese toasts elevate simple appetizers with French countryside elegance. Creamy herbed goat cheese spread over crisp baguette slices creates a luxurious starter perfect for intimate gatherings or elegant parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread:
- 1 fresh French baguette
Dairy and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) creamy goat cheese (like Montrachet), at room temperature
Seasonings and Accompaniments:
- Olive oil (good quality)
- 1–2 garlic cloves, halved lengthwise
- Kosher salt (or sea salt)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pitted green olives (such as Castelvetrano), halved
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F (200°C), ensuring an even temperature throughout.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the baguette diagonally into twelve uniform pieces, each measuring approximately ¼-inch (0.6 cm) thick for consistent toasting.
- Position the bread slices in a single, uncrowded layer on a clean baking sheet, allowing sufficient space between each piece for optimal crisping.
- Generously brush each slice with extra virgin olive oil, then delicately sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and toast for 8-10 minutes, monitoring until the edges turn golden brown and the texture becomes crisp and crunchy.
- Remove the toasts and allow them to cool slightly, then gently rub one side of each piece with a freshly cut garlic clove, transferring subtle aromatic notes.
- Spread a smooth, even layer of creamy goat cheese across the toasted surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Artfully top each crostini with halved green olives, creating an attractive and flavorful garnish.
- Present the crostini warm or at room temperature, perfect for immediate enjoyment as an appetizer or light snack.
Notes
- Select Peak Freshness: Grab crisp baguettes and creamy goat cheese at their prime to guarantee maximum flavor explosion in every bite.
- Control Baking Temperature: Watch toasts closely during golden-browning process, preventing burnt edges that can ruin the delicate texture.
- Maximize Garlic Infusion: Gently massage warm garlic across toasted surfaces, allowing intense aromatic oils to penetrate bread deeply.
- Create Consistent Cheese Layer: Smooth goat cheese carefully across each toast, ensuring balanced taste and texture in every mouthful.
- Preserve Olive Crispness: Strategically place olives moments before serving to maintain their vibrant taste and prevent unwanted bread sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast (of 12)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg