Cranberry-Sage Goat Cheese Crostini
We’re going to keep this post short and sweet because Taylor is currently ripping apart our kitchen (a tiny holiday remodel is happening) and I’m having a minor meltdown since my kitchen isn’t very functional at the moment (I’m doing dishes with the garden hose outside in the freezing rain since we don’t have sink right now!) So, instead of writing a long blog post I’m just going to share these tasty crostini with you while I try my best to take deep breaths and remind myself that this “small” kitchen remodel will be done by the New Year. Thankfully, our kitchen is tiny -I mean really tiny- so upgrading is actually not going to be a long drawn out process. It’s going to be nice having new countertops, cupboards, a larger sink to do dishes in (since we don’t have a dishwasher) and finally a hanging spice rack so I can organize my spices! I’m so excited by these small improvements that we are making but it’s definitely tough to be put out of a kitchen during the holiday. Obviously it will be worth it in the end so I should quit complaining.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know that Taylor and I moved into the farmhouse in the fall of 2013 and the house itself isn’t really a “normal” house. It’s actually more like a giant tool shed with a tiny apartment attached to it. It works great for us but the kitchen has always been troublesome and since I spend so much time in there this little upgrade is going to make a world of difference. It’s Taylor’s gift to me this Christmas and I feel so blessed that he has taken on this project and is making my kitchen an even happier place to spend time in.
Anyhow, enough kitchen talk let’s get back to these tasty crostini. These guys will be a wonderful addition to any holiday spread and the great news it that they are easy to whip up with minimal dishes (even a girl with just a garden hose can handle these dishes!) The cranberry-sage jam pairs so well with the creamy goat cheese and crusty bread. I got the idea to make the crostini from these cocktails and am so happy with how they turned out. These are obviously a great appetizer but they taste equally as good when served as a main course with a side salad. Simple, tasty and healthy to boot.
I hope you all enjoy these crostini as much as we do. Pick up a loaf of good quality bread from your favorite bakery, grab some tasty cheese and fresh cranberries and head straight for your kitchen! Enjoy.
Cranberry-Sage Goat Cheese Crostini
Prep Time: 10 mins. Cook Time: 15 mins. Serves: 8-10
For the Cranberry-Sage Sauce:- 1 (12 oz) bag fresh organic cranberries
- 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
- zest from 1 orange (divided)
- 5-6 fresh sage leaves, minced +additional for garnish
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 baguette or good quality loaf of bread (I recommend grabbing some from a local bakery) sliced into 1/2 thick slices
- Olive oil for brushing the slices + additional for serving
- pinch of fine sea salt
- 10 ounces organic goat cheese
Preparation
- In a medium-sized saucepan bring the honey, water, orange juice, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg to a gentle boil. Add the cranberries, sage leaves and 1/2 of the orange zest. Stir often until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. About 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- While the cranberries cook toast your bread. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Brush each slice of bread with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Toast for about 3-5 minutes per side or until lightly browned.
- Assemble the crostini by spreading an even amount of goat cheese on each slice followed by a spoonful of the jam. Sprinkle each crostini with a little orange zest, minced sage, pinch of fine sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
*Use this recipe as a guide. *Adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary. *Have fun in the kitchen and don't be afraid to mix things up to suit your taste preference.
This looks festive and fabulous — I bought lots of extra cranberries this year, so I need great recipes to use them up, thanks!
These sound like the perfect easy little meal – simple yet packed with flavour. They would make a perfect start to a meal to I would imagine. Enjoy your new kitchen – how exciting!
I adore goat cheese and cranberry together. I love how simple these are, but with such big flavor. Good luck with the remodel too!
Yum! Is that what you used the bread for that you bought?
I want pictures when the new kitchen is in!
Merry, merry!
Adorable! (And love how they’re green and red.)
We have a few amazing bread producers at our local farmers’ markets, and I bet this would be just perfect. I’m always saving your delicious recipes!
All of your recipes are divine…I just started reading you blog last week and tonight we are making our second dinner based on your blog! Now for a tip from me….pull out your BBQ and start getting creative with a small table and area to work . When your hands are cold warm them up by the bbq and all will be well in less than 2 weeks happy Christmas and merry new year!!
Oh, I can’t wait to try these. I have made your Gingerbread Latte a couple of times already. I didn’t have 100% maple syrup, so when I was at the store, about to reach for it, I saw a bottle of ginger syrup. It isn’t pure, in that it has organic cane sugar syrup (not HFCS) along with the ginger. But, oh my, it’s tasty.
Enjoy your new kitchen. Congratulations on sticking with the No Dishwasher theme. Whether that was by choice or necessity, I find doing a sink-load of dishes by hand somewhat meditative, giving me purpose and completion in a somewhat crazy day. Or I’m just crazy.
You did it again!! Awsome recipe! 🙂
A new kitchen is so exciting! Hope to see photos of the new space when it is finished. Merry Christmas!
I love cranberry sage goat cheese crostini recipe. I need to add bell pepper and avocado to the recipe and it would be perfect. Thanks for sharing! Here you can read interesting reviews at http://www.wellnesswires.com.
I am always try your recipes.you recipes is delicious and healthy. Its looking so fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
thanks for this post