Description
This easy goat cheese appetizer combines creamy goat cheese with a luscious fig jam and honey glaze, topped with crunchy pecans and fresh thyme. Perfect for entertaining, it pairs beautifully with crostini or crackers for a quick and elegant starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 300 g softened goat cheese (about 10 oz or 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups)
- 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
- Prepare the Cheese: Spread the softened goat cheese evenly onto a low bowl or plate and drizzle the olive oil over it to add a rich flavor and smooth texture.
- Warm the Fig Jam Mixture: In a small pot, combine honey, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar. Warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking continuously for about 5 minutes until it’s well blended and slightly thickened.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the pot from heat and let the fig jam mixture cool slightly for about 5 minutes to thicken and prevent melting the cheese when applied.
- Combine Toppings: Drizzle or gently spread the warm fig jam mixture over the goat cheese to add sweetness and tanginess.
- Add Thyme and Pecans: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and chopped pecans evenly on top for an herby, crunchy contrast.
- Season and Serve: Add a pinch of sea salt over the appetizer to enhance all the flavors, then serve immediately with crostini or crackers.
Notes
- To make your own crostini, preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices, brush with olive oil on one side, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, flip slices, and bake another 5 minutes until toasted.
- This appetizer can be prepared ahead of time by warming and cooling the fig jam mixture. When ready to serve, spread it over the goat cheese—it will no longer be warm but will remain delicious.
- You can substitute pecans with chopped walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
