I ate 6 of these for dinner the other night.
It was a gooooood dinner.
Putting delicious food on top of bread is by no means a new thing. I eat stuff like this all the time. Hello bruschetta!
But…I don’t often make it at home. I usually order it at restaurants. Well…I did just that about a week ago. I ordered a very similar appetizer to this Goat Cheese and Apricot Crostini with Pistachios and Mint.
It was good, not great, but it inspired me. I’m like hey…I’m making this at home and I’m making it better than this restaurant did!
So here it is. And let me tell you…it was 10 times better, 10 TIMES BETTER than what I ordered at the restaurant and also 10 times cheaper. This is a no brainer appetizer that is beautiful and so easy to make.
The restaurant used dried apricots instead of apricot preserves and they didn’t use mint. They also barely slathered any goat cheese on the bread. Come on…the more goat cheese the better. Am I right?
It’s a little disappointing when you go to a restaurant and you get mediocre food. First it’s expensive and second the whole point of going out for a meal is to enjoy something delicious that you don’t have to make at home.
Listen friends…you CAN make delicious food at home for way cheaper than you get in the restaurants. I’m not saying don’t go out…I’m going out to dinner tonight actually and can’t freaking wait, but what I am saying, is make your own pretty appetizers at home every once in awhile.
We really enjoyed having these the other night. It was something different than we typically eat during the week and it was no fuss.
And like I said, don’t be afraid to top those cute pieces of toast with LOTS of yummy stuff, just pile it on there. The more the better!
The creamy tangy goat cheese goes incredibly well with the sweet apricot preserves and the mint just freshens the whole thing up. Do I need to mention the pistachios? Those things are amazing just by themselves but they do offer a nice crunch and texture to the crostini.
Bring this to a partaaaay. Your friends will love you.
Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you will always have it when you need it!
- 1 container spreadable goat cheese (I used 5.3 ounce Chavrie)
- Apricot preserves
- Handful of pistachios, chopped
- Fresh mint, chopped
- 1 small French or Italian baguette
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice bread and place directly on oven rack. Bake for about 4-5 minutes or until bread is crisp and slightly browned on edges. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Add goat cheese to a small bowl and whisk until whipped and fluffy.
- Assemble crostini by slathering goat cheese on bread, then a little of the apricot preserves and top with chopped pistachios and fresh mint.
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Jess
Hello! I would say you can make them the day off and enjoy later but the goat cheese would make the bread soggy over time. Hope that helps!
Suzanne
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!
Val
Did you use salted or unsalted pistachios?
Jessica Erin
Salted!
Val
Finally got around to making these last night. My husband and I looooved it!!! The mint really is so unique and adds almost like an earthy tone to balance the sweet and salty flavors. So good and thanks for replying!!!
Jessica Erin
so glad you enjoy them!
Sharon Cushman
Made these the other night…..but forgot to toast the bread tho’….oh well, they were awesome just the same! Everyone loved them!
Jessica Erin
glad to hear you liked them!
maureen
I made these last night, and topped them off with some thinly sliced fresh apricot – they were a HIT! Hubby gobbled them down 🙂
Jessica Erin
yum that sounds good!
Deb Schroeder
I would like to bring these to a party. Can they me made ahead?
Jessica Erin
Yes, a few hours or so. The cheese may make the crostini soggy if you make them the day before.
Valeriehoff
Those look perfect for a memorial day cookout!
Jessica Erin
Thanks! Yes simple and easy!
Danae @ Recipe Runner
These little crostinis look amazing! I love the combination of the goat cheese, apricot, and pistachio. Such a fun appetizer!
Jessica Erin
Thanks Danae! The combo of flavors work so well!
Nutmeg Nanny
These little crostinis looks so good! Love the combo of goat cheese, apricot and pistachios. Yum!
Jessica Erin
Thank you Brandy!
Johlene@Flavours&Frosting
I agree homemade food is always better. Here where we live in Spain I almost always feel dissapointed after a meal in a restaurant, it’s never quite what I hoped for and cost far too much! Definitely going to try these @ home 🙂
juliajolliff
Oh man these look amazing. I love crositnis because I am such a big fan of appetizers and munching on things like this when I am chatting at a party. These seem so light and that apricot/goat cheese pairing sounds perfect.
Jessie {Life As A Strawberry}
Making better versions of restaurant food at home is the best! Also, I would like to faceplant into a pile of these immediately please and thank you.