Saturday, October 9, 2010

Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam


You know how you expect a recipe to be good, but then it exceeds your expectations? This was one of those recipes for me. It was fantastic! The best way to describe it is that it's a little bit of everything all rolled into one tasty treat. At first bite, you feel the satisfying crunch of the crostini. As you're crunching down on the crostini the sweetness from the sun-dried tomato jam is so apparent, but yet there's that hint of onion and garlic in the background. In the end, it's that creamy and tangy goat cheese that brings it all together and results in a completely satisfying snack or appetizer. I ate one, thought I could stop at two, and cringed as I stuffed a third one in my mouth. My self-control abandoned me.

This week we are welcoming Giada De Laurentiis into the I Heart Cooking Clubs Kitchen. To kick off our six months with Giada we are making party foods, and these little Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam really hit the spot!

Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam -recipe found online @ Food Network
Sun-Dried Tomato Jam:
* 1 (8-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped, oil reserved
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 1 cup water
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Crostini:
* 1 baguette, cut into 3/4-inch slices
* 1/4 cup olive oil (NOTE: I used the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes)
* Salt
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 5 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
* 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
For the Sun-dried Tomato Jam:
Directions
Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil, olive oil, onion, and garlic. Stir and cook until the onions are soft and beginning to brown at the edges, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the sugar, vinegar, water, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and continue simmering until most of the liquid is reduced and the mixture is the consistency of jam, about 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
* For the Crostini
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Place the baguette slices on the baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the baguette slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes.
Place the soft goat cheese in a small bowl. Stir in the thyme.
To assemble:
Spread the crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam and top with the goat cheese and herb mixture. Transfer to a serving plate and serve.

Notes/Results:
This would be a wonderful appetizer for the holiday season coming up! The dark red color of the sun-dried tomato jam is striking and makes for a great presentation. I garnished mine with basil instead of thyme and was wowed by how pretty it was before I even took a bite. It really is a fantastic recipe.

21 comments:

  1. Kim, your Giada crostini post just came through a second ago on my reader and I had to quickly comment! These look both easy AND tasty! Great combo for busy moms like you! Great for me too! I've got to try this since I believe I have all the ingredients! Thanks, Roz

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  2. Sun dried tomato jam? What a super idea! I bet it's delicious.

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  3. Oh my gosh...they sound absolutely mouthwatering!! I'm gonna remember these somewhere down the line.... :D

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  4. I must make this! Better yet - should check out the cooking club. As I bemoan the loss of summer tomatoes, this is the perfect replacement. I can taste the sweet tang. Note to self: Will eat all, must make when lots of people are home. Delicious, Kim!

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  5. Leave it to Giada to keep you coming back, bite after bite. What a delicious looking jam! I would never have thought to use sun-dried tomatoes as they are so much more intense in flavor! Delicious.

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  6. Wow, I never would have thought of sun-dried tomato jam, but it looks and sounds just heavenly. Using sun-dried tomatoes is such a great way to get that "tomato hit" when fresh ones are out of season. I definitely want to try that, and would be so perfect with that goat cheese.
    Sue :-)

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  7. I'm not a big fan of tomatoes, but love sun dried ones. I will definately be making this soon!

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  8. You beat me to it! This is one that I had marked to try!

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  9. This looks and sounds absolutely wonderful! Great recipe. I've been away too long...life happens and all... I'm still lovin' each and every recipe that you post!

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  10. Yummy! What great nibbles this would make if you had guests coming over.
    *kisses* HH

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  11. What great photography of all of that! So pretty, isn't it? Colts game here in a couple hours, could you please deliver some of this and stay for the game? Thanks. YUM, going to make this soon.

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  12. Wow, this has my name written all over it. I have to try it! I love sun dried tomatoes and I love condimenti. Perfect! (I also loved that you used the reserved oil from the jar - I do the same thing! Too precious to pour down the drain, sometimes I use it for salad dressings too)

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  13. Very few Giada recipes have disappointed me. Like you, I've found some that have been even better than expected. This one looks good...even to someone who doesn't like sundried tomatoes. Especially after reading your descriptions. I think you're right about this being a nice holiday appetizer. Great idea!

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  14. Love it! I love anything made with sun-dried tomatoes. I agree with you about exceeding expectations. I find anything I make of hers does. Thanks for the holiday idea.

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  15. Ciao Kim ! I really am trapped by your description ! It sound and looks divine !

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  16. Sounds like the contrast of textures rocked. I'd like to try these, have any left over that I can have? ;)

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  17. Now this I LOVE! This is something that I would make and eat the entire thing as my meal. I love all the flavors...thanks for sharing!

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  18. I am definitely tagging this one to make--it looks so pretty and sounds like it tastes wonderful. Great pick!

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  19. Kim, this looks heavenly! I'm bookmarking this jam since I know my family would love it and me and my husband could enjoy the crostini with a good glass of red wine! Yum :o)

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  20. My favorite flavors all in one perfect bite!! Yum! ~LeslieMichele

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