Description
This easy goat cheese appetizer combines creamy goat cheese with sweet fig jam, crunchy pecans, and a hint of fresh thyme. Drizzled with honey and balsamic vinegar, it makes a perfect elegant starter served with crostini or crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 300 g softened goat cheese
- 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 Goat Cheese: Spread the softened goat cheese evenly onto a low bowl or plate. Drizzle the top with olive oil to add richness and flavor.
- Make Fig Jam Mixture: In a small pot over medium heat, combine honey, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk continuously and warm the mixture for about 5 minutes until blended and slightly thickened.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the pot from heat and let the fig jam mixture cool slightly for approximately 5 minutes to avoid melting the goat cheese completely when adding.
- Add Fig Jam to Cheese: Gently drizzle or spread the warm fig jam mixture over the prepared goat cheese layer for a sweet and tangy contrast.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and chopped pecans evenly over the top. Add a pinch of sea salt to enhance all the flavors.
- Serve: Present the goat cheese appetizer with crostini or crackers on the side for easy dipping and spreading.
Notes
- To make homemade crostini, preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice a baguette into 1-inch thick pieces, brush one side with olive oil, place on a baking sheet, and bake for 5 minutes. Flip slices and bake for an additional 5 minutes until toasted.
- You can prepare the fig jam mixture ahead of time by warming it on the stove and then letting it cool completely. When ready to serve, spread it over the goat cheese; it need not be warm to enjoy.
- For a nutty variation, substitute chopped pecans with chopped walnuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
