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Christmas Pomegranate Goat Cheese Bites

Christmas Pomegranate Goat Cheese Bites

Festive and easy-to-make crostini with creamy goat cheese, tart pomegranate seeds, toasted walnuts, and a sweet honey drizzle. A perfect appetizer for holiday parties.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 345

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large baguette French stick
  • 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 200g log of firm goat cheese, chilled
  • 150 g fresh pomegranate seeds from about 1 medium pomegranate
  • 75 g walnuts roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp honey for drizzling
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment.
  2. Toast the Walnuts: Place the chopped walnuts in a small, dry frying pan over a medium heat. Toast for 3-4 minutes, tossing frequently, until they become fragrant and lightly browned. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly. Remove from the pan and set aside to cool.
  3. Make the Crostini: Slice the baguette on a slight diagonal into 1cm thick rounds. You should get about 24 slices. Arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Toast the Bread: Brush both sides of the baguette slices with the extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the sheet. What works best for me is setting a timer for 4 minutes for the first side to ensure they don't get too dark.
  5. Assemble the Bites: Once the crostini are cool enough to handle, spread or place a slice of the chilled goat cheese on each one. An average log should give you a nice 1cm slice per crostini.
  6. Add the Toppings: Sprinkle a generous spoonful of pomegranate seeds over the goat cheese on each slice. Follow with the toasted walnuts and a scattering of fresh thyme leaves.
  7. Warm (Optional) & Serve: If you wish to serve them warm, return the assembled bites to the oven for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is slightly softened and warmed through.
  8. Final Drizzle: Arrange the finished bites on a platter and drizzle with honey just before serving. This final touch adds a lovely sheen and a hint of sweetness.

Notes

For the best texture, serve these bites immediately after assembling. You can toast the bread and walnuts a day ahead and store in an airtight container.