GOAT CHEESE AND OLIVE-SUNDRIED TOMATO CROSTINI

GOAT CHEESE AND OLIVE-SUNDRIED TOMATO CROSTINI image

Yield 24 crostini

Number Of Ingredients 15

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD
1 eight-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1 eleven-ounce package goat cheese, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives
SUNDRIED TOMATO AND OLIVE TAPENADE
3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
3/4 cup drained, oil packed sun dried tomatoes (drained)
1/8 to 1/4 cup rinsed capers (optional)
3/4 tsp dried oregano

Steps:

HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD In the bowl of a food processor, process cream cheese and goat cheese together until creamy and well combined. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, parsley, tarragon, dill, and chives; pulse until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Transfer spread to a Ziplock bag for quick and easy assembly. Spread will keep, refrigerated, up to 3 days. SUNDRIED TOMATO AND OLIVE TAPENADE Using food processor, using on/off turns, finely chop olives and tomatoes (but don't puree). Add olive oil, capers and oregano. Blend to coarse puree. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Bring to room temp before serving. Skim extra oil before serving if there is a ton extra. Transfer spread to a Ziplock bag for quick and easy assembly. TOAST BAGUETTE AND ASSEMBLE Take goat cheese mixture out of the fridge and let it warm to room temperature (optional). Preheat oven to 350. Slice baguette into 1/2 inch slices and place on baking sheet. Brush the side up lightly with additional olive oil. Bake until golden 7-10 minutes. To make spreading easy, I keep both in Ziploc baggies and then just snip a little corner off the bottom to use like a pastry bag. Then you can just whip them out. Spread room temp goat cheese on toasts and top with room temp tapenade. You really don't want to toast these way ahead of time, best if made at the party. Enjoy!