Description
This easy goat cheese appetizer features creamy goat cheese topped with a warm fig jam mixture, crunchy pecans, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey and balsamic vinegar. Served with crostini or crackers, it’s a perfect elegant starter or snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 300 g softened goat cheese (about 10 oz or 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups goat cheese)
- 1/2 cup fig jam
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Crostini or crackers for serving
Instructions
- Spread Goat Cheese: On a low bowl or plate, spread the softened goat cheese evenly and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to add richness and flavor.
- Warm Fig Jam Mixture: In a small pot over medium heat, combine the honey, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk the ingredients together and heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to fully incorporate and warm the mixture gently.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pot from the heat and let the fig jam mixture cool for about 5 minutes to avoid melting the goat cheese when added.
- Drizzle Fig Jam: Gently spread or drizzle the warm fig jam mixture evenly over the goat cheese layer to infuse sweet and tangy flavors.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves that have been removed from the sprigs and add chopped pecans on top to provide herbal freshness and crunchy texture.
- Season and Serve: Add a pinch of sea salt for balance and serve immediately with crostini or crackers for scooping and nibbling.
Notes
- To make your own crostini, preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices, brush one side with olive oil, and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, flip, then bake for another 5 minutes until toasted and crisp.
- You can prepare the fig jam mixture ahead of time by warming it and letting it cool completely. When ready to serve, gently spread it on the goat cheese. It won’t be warm but remains delicious.
- Pecans can be swapped for chopped walnuts if preferred for a different nutty flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
