Three Easy and Cheesy Bites

Easy Entertaining

Goat Cheese and Apple Tartlets

Thanksgiving crept up on me really quickly, and I was completely unprepared for the holiday. Well, not this time!

With those other holidays coming up (anyone else notice that the 25 days of Christmas have already started?), I decided to put together three easy & cheesy bites to help alleviate the stress and prep of holiday entertaining.

Goat Cheese & Apple Tartlets
These are a light and flaky treat that will delight your guests, and leave you with plenty of time to enjoy happy hour.

Ingredients:

2 Tart Apples (I used granny smith)

1 1/2 oz. Chevre Goat Cheese

1 lb (1 package) Puff Pastry Dough at room temperature

Honey (optional)

1 Egg

1 tbsp Milk

Makes approximately 24 tartlets

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Roll out the room temperature puff pastry dough
Cut the dough into squares (or triangles)
Crack the egg into a separate bowl, add the milk, and mix well
Spread the egg mixture on the top of the puff pastry dough
Bake for about 10 minutes on the top rack, until they golden brown
While baking, cut the apples into thin slices
Spread the goat cheese onto the puff pastry
Add the apple slices
Bake for approximately 3 minutes (until cheese is melted and pastry dough is golden brown)
Add just a touch of honey (optional)
Serve and enjoy!

Goat Cheese & Fig Jam Crostini
I love this bite; it is a great contrast of sweet, salty, crunchy, and even creamy components. I think it’s the best way to start a meal, and a great bite to make before guests start arriving.

Ingredients:

1 French Baguette

4.5oz of Purple Haze Goat Cheese

4-6 tablespoons of Fig & Orange Spread

8 slices of prosciutto cut in half

Serves approximately 24

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Bake the bread for about 20 minutes
Cut the bread in ½-inch pieces
Liberally spread the goat cheese on the crostini
Spread the fig jam onto the crostini
Place the cut prosciutto on top of the crostini
Serve and enjoy!

Time-Saving Tip: You can also use goat cheese that is already combined with jam such as this Coach Farm Goat Cheese.

Mini Brie en Croute
Last year I experimented with Baked Brie, and it was a hit! Friends requested that I repeat it this year and even asked for the recipe. So instead of doing the exact same thing, I tweaked my recipe and decided to share it with you.