Description
A simple and elegant goat cheese appetizer featuring creamy goat cheese topped with a warm fig jam mixture, crunchy pecans, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey and balsamic vinegar, served with crostini or crackers. Perfect for entertaining or a delightful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Appetizer
- 300 g softened goat cheese (about 10 oz or 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups)
- 1/2 cup fig jam
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Crostini or crackers for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the goat cheese: Spread the softened goat cheese onto a low bowl or plate, then drizzle evenly with olive oil to enhance flavor and texture.
- Warm the fig jam mixture: In a small pot over medium heat, combine the honey, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk gently to blend the ingredients and heat for about 5 minutes until warm and well combined.
- Cool the mixture: Remove the pot from heat and allow the fig jam mixture to cool slightly for approximately 5 minutes to avoid melting the goat cheese too much.
- Assemble the appetizer: Drizzle or gently spread the warm fig jam mixture over the goat cheese layer on the plate.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and chopped pecans over the fig jam for aromatic flavor and crunch.
- Finish and serve: Add a pinch of sea salt to taste and serve immediately with crostini or crackers on the side.
Notes
- To make your own crostini, preheat oven to 400°F. Slice a baguette into 1-inch pieces, brush one side with olive oil, place in a single layer on a baking sheet, bake 5 minutes, flip, and bake another 5 minutes until toasted.
- For preparing ahead, warm the fig jam mixture and let cool completely. When ready to serve, spread it over the goat cheese; it can be served at room temperature.
- Pecans can be substituted with chopped walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
