Description
Creamy goat cheese mingles with sweet fig jam and crunchy toasted pecans in this elegant appetizer. Sophisticated flavors dance together, promising a delightful start to any gathering you’ll surely remember.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) goat cheese, softened to room temperature
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
Jam and Vinegar:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) fig jam
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
Nuts and Herbs:
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) chopped pecans (or walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
- 2 tablespoons (8 grams) chopped fresh thyme and rosemary
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a cozy environment for the appetizer.
- In a mixing bowl, thoroughly blend soft goat cheese and cream cheese until smooth and uniform in texture.
- Transfer the creamy cheese mixture into an oven-safe dish, spreading it evenly across the surface to create a consistent base.
- Artfully dollop fig jam over the cheese layer, creating a beautiful marbled effect with contrasting colors and flavors.
- Delicately drizzle balsamic vinegar across the top, adding a tangy complexity to the appetizer.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, allowing the cheese to become warm, slightly bubbling, and develop a tempting aroma.
- While the cheese bakes, gently toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning and release their rich, nutty essence.
- Remove the baked cheese spread from the oven and immediately garnish with the freshly toasted pecans and finely chopped herbs.
- Serve the appetizer warm alongside crisp crostini or crackers, inviting guests to spread the delectable mixture and enjoy.
Notes
- Elevate your appetizer game with this luxurious goat cheese spread that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet sensation.
- Planning ahead saves time: prepare cheese mixture and toast pecans up to a day before guests arrive.
- Balsamic vinegar’s tangy drizzle creates a stunning visual contrast against the creamy white cheese and deep purple fig jam.
- Experiment with different jams like raspberry or apricot for unique flavor variations that’ll surprise your guests.
- Serving warm ensures maximum flavor absorption and creates an irresistible aroma that’ll draw everyone to the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg