Balsamic strawberries with goat cheese crostini is a really easy light appetizer or meal that you will definitely enjoy. There are just a few ingredients that you need to make these goat cheese crostini making them a great quick recipe.
If there ever was a perfect flavor combination it is strawberries and goat cheese. It is very similar to the idea of strawberries and cream but with the goat cheese you also get to add that sweet and salty combination.
The strawberries in this crostini recipe are balsamic strawberries and if you have never heard of this or tried this before then you are in for a treat.
The balsamic strawberries are made the same way you make macerated strawberries, by adding a little sugar to your strawberries to draw out the juices and to make a beautiful sauce.
The difference is the balsamic vinegar is added in at this point as well allowing the balsamic and the juices from the strawberries to make an even more amazing sauce.
The end result is pure deliciousness and no need to reduce the vinegar on the stove top to get a beautiful sauce.
The crostini in this goat cheese and strawberry crostini recipe is very simple to make. It is simple and something I make all the time because crostini goes with so many dishes.
Here is how to make the crostini for this balsamic strawberries with goat cheese recipe:
- First, slice up your baguette bread.
- Place it on a sheet pan.
- Brush with olive oil on one side.
- Place under a high heat broiler (watching it carefully) until golden brown.
- Flip the crostini over and brown the other side.
- Let cool.
The entire process for making the crostini takes about 5 minutes, including the slicing.
The strawberries you can make ahead of time, either earlier in the day or a little before you are ready to eat them.
The longer those strawberries sit the more sauce will be made. So if you like lots of sauce and softer strawberries go ahead and make this the night before.
Here is how to assemble your goat cheese and strawberry crostini:
- Take a spoonful of your room temperature goat cheese and spread over your crostini.
- Take a spoonful of your strawberries and place that over your goat cheese.
- Drizzle with a little bit of your balsamic glaze (made from macerating the strawberries.
- Place on a nice platter or plate and drizzle with a little honey (optional but I love it).
You may have some leftover balsamic strawberries and that is ok! These strawberries go so well in so many recipes.
Here are my favorite ways to use the extra balsamic strawberries
Italian Strawberry and Basil Shrub (mocktail)
Rustic Strawberry Galette with Whipped Cream
Balsamic Strawberries with Goat Cheese Crostini
Ingredients
Balsamic Strawberries
- 1 pint Fresh strawberries cleaned and dried preferably organic
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Crostini
- 1 large baguette
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces room temperature goat cheese
- honey optional- for drizzling over top before serving
Instructions
Goat Cheese
- Remove the goat cheese from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature.
Balsamic Strawberries
- Grab a medium bowl and set aside
- Prepare your cleaned strawberries by cutting the tops off and cutting them into quarters
- Add your quartered strawberries to your bowl
- Now add your balsamic vinegar and sugar to the bowl
- Gently mix your strawberries, balsamic and sugar together
- Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes on the counter or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Give it another good mix and serve on it's own or over your favorite dessert or drink.
Making the Crostini
- Preheat your broiler.
- Slice up your baguette at a slight angle making pieces of bread that are about 1 inch thick.
- Place your bread on a large baking sheet and brush the tops of your bread with the olive oil (or drizzle the oil if you have a narrow spout on your olive oil)
- Place under the broiler until it is nicely browned but not burned, about 1-2 minutes.
- Take out of the broiler and carefully flip the bread over and place back under the broiler to brown the other side.
- When done, remove from the oven and set aside for a few minutes to cool.
Assembling
- Take a spoonful of your room temperature goat cheese and spread over your crostini.
- Add a spoonful of your strawberries over the goat cheese.
- Drizzle a little of the balsamic glaze over the strawberries.
- Add to a plate.
- Drizzle with a little honey (optional)
- Enjoy!
Notes
Balsamic strawberries and ricotta crostini:
- First make crostini. I use my oregano crostini recipe and just omit the oregano and salt.
- Next I add a heaping dollop of fresh whole milk ricotta cheese on top of the crostini.
- With a slotted spoon, scoop up some of your balsamic strawberries and place on top of the ricotta.
- Drizzle with a little honey (optional but really good!)
Meredith says
Made this as a dessert and it was yummy!