These Garlic, Tomato and Basil Goat Cheese Crostini is easy to make, ready in under 20 minutes, and is essential summer food.
One of the best parts of summer is the fresh produce. I personally am lucky enough to have a garden so I can walk outside and grab ripe tomatoes, fresh radishes, green beans, zucchini, etc.
But, I love a good farmer’s market. Local farmers are growing amazing food and they are often doing it organically and GMO-free. Plus, it feels good to support local businesses growing food right and putting local people to work. Even though I have a bigger garden, I can’t grow everything. Sometimes certain crops just don’t work out. So, for me having a garden and visiting local farmer’s markets is how I can eat healthy, local, in-season produce.
Speaking of in-season, tomatoes are here! Is there anything better than in-season tomatoes? I’m pretty sure there isn’t. This year’s weather has been cooperative which means, I may get to actually can tomatoes and salsa but still, nothing beats a fresh tomato. Add a little salt and pepper to it and that’s all I really need.
The inspiration for these Garlic, Tomato and Basil Goat Cheese Crostini Bites came from a night last month watching a Shakespeare play in the park. It was crazy hot and humid here so I wasn’t that interested in eating, but you know, you do have to eat. We ended up walking around a farmer’s market and picking up some pretzel chips, a tomato, and some super delicious cheese. It was so fresh and light and I may have been dreaming about this simple snack since I had it.
Obviously, these crostini take on a different form but they are still worth dreaming about.
We were having a pool day and once again it is super hot here. The garden is full bloom and I have tons of produce. So, I whipped up these bites in about 20 minutes. They were devoured in minutes by adults and kids alike. The basil, garlic and tomatoes paired with the goat cheese and crisp bread are the perfect snack, appetizer or light dinner!
- 1 french loaf
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4-5 oz plain goat cheese
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 3 gloves fresh garlic
- 1 bunch fresh basil (about a handful)
- Salt and Pepper
- Prep your ingredients: chop the garlic and basil, slice the grape tomatoes in half (or quarters if they are bigger), and slice your bread in about quarter to one-third inch slices. You want the bread thick enough to hold your toppings but not too thick that it could be a sandwich.
- Heat your grill pan (preferably a cast iron one) on medium heat. While the pan is heating, brush on olive oil on one side of the bread.
- When the pan is hot, place the bread with the oil side down. Then brush the other side with olive oil. Flip the bread after about 2-3 minutes when it is crisp and has grill marks. Grill on the second side for another 2-3 minutes and remove.
- In the same pan, add a teaspoon of olive oil then toss on the tomatoes and garlic cooking them for about 3-4 minutes or until they are warm and the tomatoes are slightly broken down. Remove the tomatoes and garlic and set aside.
- Spread the goat cheese over each piece of bread.
- Add the tomatoes and garlic. Lightly salt and pepper each bite. Then, top with a sprinkling of fresh basil.
- Serve and enjoy!
- You can make this on your outdoor grill as well. It will take less time to grill the bread but if you are heating up your grill, make these. You won't regret it.
Preschool2teen
This looks and sounds really good. We’re having some friends over soon, I’m going to try it out on them. Thanks.
jcrain320
Thanks so much!!