Crostini Three Ways | Part One – Radish & Goat Cheese

When entertaining, whether for a party of forty-five of four, it’s important to have a plate of delicious appetizers for your guests to munch on in preparation of the main event. Lauren Kelp here of LaurenKelp.com & while I love a good cheese plate (who doesn’t?!), sometimes it’s fun to spice things up and play a little! That is why I love a good crostini. They are simple to make, have an incredible range of flavor options, and will impress your guests without having to bust out your Grandma’s recipe book!

Today is day one of a three part series where we breakdown a delicious crostini combination, plus, of course, it’s perfect wine pairing. An appetizer is only as good as the wine it’s paired with, right?

First up – The Radish & Goat Cheese combo. The combination of creamy goat cheese, crisp radishes, and moments of chives makes this the perfect appetizer as we transition into warm(er) weather.

So, what’s the difference between crostini and bruschetta anyway? Simple answer – the bread! Bruschetta is made by toasting whole or wide slices of rustic Italian bread, or a sourdough. Crostini is made by toasting smaller, rounder slices, like from a baguette. If you want to get super fancy, a typical Crostini appetizer involves several combinations and variations, where as a plate of Bruschetta is typically served one way.

INGREDIENTS

1 loaf of sliced white bread baguette
8 oz. of goat cheese
3/4 oz chives (minced)
5 small radishes thinly sliced
salt
pepper
EVOO

INSTRUCTIONS

Brush both sides of sliced bread with olive oil and broil until toasted
Whip goat cheese and chives together in a blender until fluffy (for an extra twist, add a tiny bit of honey to the mix)
In a small pan, lightly sauté radishes with EVOO and season with salt and pepper to taste
Top your toasted bread with the goat cheese mix and enough radishes to cover
Sprinkle with pepper and enjoy!
Pair your refreshingly crisp crostini with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc and prepare to be in dining heaven!