Description
A sophisticated appetizer featuring a homemade sun-dried tomato jam paired with creamy whipped feta cheese, served atop crispy toasted baguette slices. This elegant crostini combines sweet, tangy, and savory flavors perfect for entertaining or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Sun-Dried Tomato Jam
- 1 cup dry sun-dried tomatoes (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 2 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Whipped Feta
- 6 ounces fat-free feta cheese (freshly crumbled)
- 3 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese
Crostini
- 1 French baguette
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil (for brushing the bread)
Instructions
- Make Sun-Dried Tomato Jam: Heat 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and shallots, cooking until softened, about 4-6 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add honey, red wine vinegar, chicken broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Let it simmer for 30-35 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes until the liquid thickens to a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat, transfer to a food processor, and pulse a few times to smooth the mixture slightly. Set aside.
- Make Whipped Feta: Add the crumbled feta cheese to a food processor and pulse 2-3 times until small crumbles form. Add the cream cheese, then pulse for 20-30 seconds more until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Set aside.
- Prepare the Crostini: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the French baguette into ½-inch thick pieces. Brush both sides of each slice with about 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 3-4 minutes. Flip the slices over and toast for an additional 2-3 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Crostini: Spread a generous amount of whipped feta onto each toasted baguette slice. Top each with a spoonful of the sun-dried tomato jam. Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Use fat-free feta to keep the recipe lighter in calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Thinly slicing the sun-dried tomatoes helps them soften evenly during cooking.
- If you prefer a vegan version, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Store leftover tomato jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- The crostini can be toasted in a toaster oven or on a grill pan if an oven is unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Sun-Dried Tomato Jam, Whipped Feta, Crostini, Appetizer, Mediterranean, Easy Snack, Party Food
