Looking for a simple yet flavorful appetizer to impress your guests? Look no further than these delightful Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini! This simple yet flavorful appetizer combines the sweetness of roasted grape tomatoes with the tanginess of goat cheese, all nestled atop crispy slices of baguette.
Crostini is an Italian appetizer consisting of small slices of toasted or grilled bread, typically brushed with olive oil and seasoned with salt. The word “crostini” actually means “little toasts” in Italian. While traditionally crostini are baked or toasted, there are variations where they can be grilled as well. The toasting or baking helps to crisp up the bread, giving it a crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the toppings.
What’s the Difference Between Crostini and Brushetta?
Crostini are made with small, thin slices of baguette or other crusty bread, which are typically brushed with olive oil and toasted until crispy. They’re often served as appetizers or with antipasto platters.
Bruschetta, on the other hand, traditionally uses thicker slices of rustic Italian bread. The bread is grilled or toasted, then rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil before being topped with various ingredients like diced tomatoes, basil, and cheese.
So, while they share some similarities, crostini are typically smaller and made with thinner bread slices, while bruschetta is made with thicker slices of bread and often includes garlic in the preparation process.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
To make our roasted tomato crostini appetizer, you’ll need:
- Grape (or cherry) tomatoes
- Shallots and garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- Goat cheese
- Baguette bread
- Fresh basil
TIPS TO PERFECTLY ROASTED TOMATOES:
To achieve perfectly roasted tomatoes, here are some tips:
- First, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This small step helps to prevent the tomatoes, onion and garlic from sticking and burning, it also makes clean up a breeze.
- Secondly, turning the tomatoes every 15 minutes ensures even cooking and prevents them from burning on one side. As they roast, keep an eye on the tomatoes, and they are done when they become soft and caramelized, with slightly charred edges.
- To prevent burning, adjust the oven temperature or position the baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven.
FAQs:
Can I use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes?
- Yes, you can use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes. Both varieties work well.
How do I prevent the bread from becoming soggy after adding the tomato topping?
- To prevent the bread from becoming soggy, make sure to toast it until it’s crispy before adding the tomato topping. Additionally, you can serve the tomato topping on the side and allow guests to assemble their own crostini just before eating.
Can I substitute the goat cheese with another type of cheese?
- Absolutely! While goat cheese pairs wonderfully with the roasted tomato crostini, you can substitute it with another type of cheese. Feta cheese, fresh mozzarella or cream cheese would be great!
Can I prepare the roasted tomatoes ahead of time and assemble the crostini later?
- Yes, you can prepare the roasted tomatoes ahead of time and assemble the crostini later. As mentioned earlier, you can store the roasted tomatoes in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply toast the bread, assemble the crostini with the tomatoes and cheese, and enjoy!
Last Minute Additions:
To elevate this littel appetizer even more, I like to drizzle a little balsamic glaze or honey for sweetness, or even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor just before serving.
OTHER DELICIOUS APPETIZERS:
- Spinach Artichoke Pull-Apart Cheesy Bread: The most delicious combination of gooey cheese, savory spinach, and artichokes.
- Shrimp Cocktail: Roasting the shrimp instead of boiling not only adds more flavor but elimanates that rubbery texture from over boiling them.
- The Best Garlic Roasted Hummus: Homemade hummus is super super easy to make and we’ll show you how.
ROASTED TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI
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Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini
Description
An easy no fail appetizer that will wow your guests of thinly sliced toasted bread, goat cheese, roasted tomatoes, shallots and garlic drizzled with balsamic glaze or honey on top!
Ingredients
- 1 Pint grape tomatoes (cut in half or quarters if they are on the large side)
- 1–2 shallots, minced
- 2–3 Cloves of garlic, minced
- 2–3 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ – 1 teaspoon Sea salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 log of Goat cheese
- Baguette bread, sliced and lightly toasted
- 1–2 Tbsp. Fresh Basil, chopped
- (Optional) Balsamic glaze or honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Cut the grape tomatoes in half or quarters, depending on their size.
- Mince the shallots and garlic.
- In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, minced shallots, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper. Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with olive oil.
- Spread the tomato mixture on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, turning the tomatoes halfway through the cooking time for even roasting.
- Once the tomatoes are softened and the shallots slightly caramelized, remove them from the oven.
- Slice the baguette bread into thin slices and place them on a baking sheet.
- Lightly toast the bread slices in the oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.
- Smear some goat cheese on the toasted bread, top with a spoonful of the roasted tomato mixture and top with strips of fresh basil.
Short on time trying to copycat this from a restaurant. Convection oven, 350, stirring every 10 min or so (5 towards end) until looked done. (25 min or so) Restaurant blended this mix with the goat cheese (prob for ease of serving as an appetizer) so I did as well. Fantastic flavor and will use this often!!
They called this a roasted tomatoe mouse dip with baguettes but your recipe had the same ingredients listed as the description on the menu. Everyone loved it!