Description
This easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam and pecans is a delicious and elegant starter perfect for any gathering. Creamy goat cheese is complemented by sweet fig jam warmed with honey and balsamic vinegar, topped with crunchy pecans and fresh thyme, served alongside crunchy crostini or crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 300 g softened goat cheese (about 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups)
- 1/2 cup fig jam
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Crostini or crackers for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Goat Cheese: Spread the softened goat cheese onto a low bowl or plate and drizzle evenly with olive oil to add richness.
- Warm the Fig Jam Mixture: In a small pot over medium heat, combine honey, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk continuously as the mixture warms for about 5 minutes until combined and slightly thickened.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the pot from heat and allow the fig jam mixture to cool slightly for about 5 minutes so it thickens a bit without being too hot.
- Assemble the Appetizer: Drizzle or gently spread the warmed fig jam mixture over the goat cheese layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves (removed from sprigs) and chopped pecans over the fig jam for texture and flavor contrast.
- Finish and Serve: Add a pinch of sea salt to taste and serve immediately with crostini or crackers for scooping.
Notes
- To make your own crostini, preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice a baguette into 1-inch thick pieces, brush one side with olive oil, and bake on a baking sheet for 5 minutes. Flip and bake another 5 minutes until toasted and golden.
- Prepare the fig jam mixture ahead of time by warming it and then letting it cool completely. Spread it over the goat cheese just before serving for a quick assembly.
- Swap pecans for chopped walnuts if preferred for a different nutty flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
