Description
Cranberry goat cheese bruschetta brings Mediterranean charm to holiday appetizers with elegant simplicity. Sharp tangy goat cheese meets sweet-tart cranberry spread across crisp toasted baguette slices you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh or frozen cranberries, washed
- 1 thin baguette, sliced about ¼ inch thick
- 8 ounces (226 grams) goat cheese
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
Herbs, Spices, and Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
- Zest of 1 orange (reserve a bit for garnish)
- ¾–1 cup pomegranate arils (reserve a few for garnish)
- Additional finely chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend cranberries, ginger, sugar, honey, and sriracha sauce into a coarse, textured mixture without over-processing.
- Incorporate chopped cilantro into the cranberry mixture with brief pulses, ensuring even distribution while maintaining visible herb fragments.
- Stir pomegranate arils and orange zest into the relish, then refrigerate for at least two hours to allow flavor development.
- Heat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy preparation.
- Arrange baguette slices on prepared sheets, lightly brushing each with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Bake baguette slices for 14-18 minutes, rotating pans midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration.
- Allow crostini to cool completely after removing from oven.
- Spread a generous layer of goat cheese on each crisp baguette slice.
- Dollop cranberry relish atop the goat cheese, creating an appealing visual contrast.
- Garnish with reserved orange zest, scattered pomegranate arils, and optional finely chopped cilantro or parsley for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Prepare the cranberry relish ahead of time, allowing at least 2 hours of refrigeration to intensify the vibrant flavor combinations.
- Keep the cranberry mixture coarsely chopped for a rustic texture that adds visual interest and maintains a chunky consistency.
- Use fresh ingredients like ginger, cilantro, and orange zest to elevate the bruschetta’s complex and bright taste profile.
- Toast baguette slices until golden brown, ensuring a crispy base that provides the perfect crunch for the creamy goat cheese and tangy relish.
- Balance sweet, spicy, and tangy elements by carefully measuring sriracha sauce and honey to create a harmonious flavor experience.
- Garnish with pomegranate arils and extra zest just before serving to add a pop of color and fresh, vibrant finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2 hours refrigeration)
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg