Ingredients
Strawberry Topping
- 2 cups strawberries, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons basil, cut into a chiffonade (plus more for garnish)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Crostini
- ½ baguette, cut into ½ inch slices
- 4 ounces goat cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for toasting the baguette slices.
- Prepare the strawberry mixture. In a small bowl, combine the thinly sliced strawberries, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, chiffonade basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the strawberries to macerate and absorb the flavors.
- Toast the crostini. Arrange the baguette slices on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven until slightly crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Assemble the crostini. Spread a generous layer of goat cheese evenly over each toasted baguette slice. Then, spoon the balsamic strawberry mixture on top of the goat cheese.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle additional basil chiffonade over the assembled crostini for a fresh, aromatic finish. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- For a vegan variation, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- If fresh basil is unavailable, fresh mint can also provide a nice flavor contrast.
- These crostini are best served the same day to keep the bread crisp.
- Slicing the strawberries thinly helps them blend better with the goat cheese.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar depending on the sweetness of your strawberries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
