Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Toasts

We were going to a cookout and I was asked to bring an appetizer. I was happy to oblige and was excited about the challenge. Usually I’m asked to bring dessert, so it was fun to try to think of something else to bring. I went to the starred items in my Google Reader (last time I checked I had over 1000 starred items!) and decided that these would be perfect. Everyone at the cookout enjoyed them and I didn’t have any to bring home.

I doubled the recipe and it took one large jar of roasted red peppers. The other great thing about this recipe is that it can be made in advance. Just store the toasted bread in a airtight container (or ziplock bag) and assemble just prior to serving.

Goat cheese and Red Pepper Appetizers – adapted from Cooking This and That, originally from Giada De Laurentiis
18 slices (1/2″ thick) sliced baguette bread
olive oil
4 ounces soft fresh goat cheese – I used 1/2 goat cheese and 1/2 herbed goat cheese
2 ounces cream cheese – I used Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese
parsley and basil – I used frozen fresh basil because that’s what I had on hand
salt and pepper to taste
18 strips of roasted red peppers

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, blend goat cheese and cream cheese in food processor (this is easier if the cheeses are room temperature) until smooth and creamy. Add the parsley, basil, salt and pepper and pulse just to blend.

Spread the cheese mixture in a thin layer over each toasted slice of bread. Top with a strip of roasted red pepper.

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16 Responses to “Caramelized Apple Grilled Cheese”

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    Fun and Fearless in Beantown — October 11, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    This looks great! After apple picking last year, I was desperately searching for ways to use the apples in savory ways. Now one of my favorite recipes is a calzone filled with apples, proscuitto, brie and sage. SO good!

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    The Red Headed Mama — October 11, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    My husband used to laugh at me when I told him that as kids we would do apple pie filling and cheese in the hobo pie maker. It was fabulous…I’m going to show him this post to prove that I’m not crazy. We’re apple picking this weekend, so I’ll be sure to try this out!

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    Melissa — October 11, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    I definitely need to think of some savory ways to use up all of the apples we pick every fall, and stop making sweets! This looks like a great recipe!

    http://www.madeinmelskitchen.com

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    Heavenly Housewife — October 11, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    What a great apple treat. I’ve got loads of apples this years from my trees and am looking for yummy recipes to use them up. After all, a girl can only eat so much apple sauce LOL.
    *kisses* HH

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    Cupcake Activist — October 11, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    I didn’t realize this was going to be a sweet sandwich. It looks so yummy! I once had a grilled cheese sandwich with thinly sliced apples in the middle and it was delicious!

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    The Small Boston Kitchen — October 11, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    I love what you did with your leftover apples! This looks incredible…love the apple and cheese combinations!

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    feerlessfood.com — October 12, 2010 at 2:07 am

    This recipe looks really tasty! I tried a similar flavor combo, but it was apple, cheddar omelete. I needed as apple with more flavor- the one I used wasn’t tart enough!

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    nutmegnanny — October 12, 2010 at 2:40 am

    What a great way to use up apples…yum!

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    Val — October 12, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    This made my mouth water. I have to make this soon.

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    Boston Food Diary — October 12, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Looks delicious Jen! I love the combination of apples and gouda! After my apple picking adventures I am definitely seeking lots of good apple ideas as well!

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    Rachel Cannon Humiston — October 12, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    This looks like a great comfort food sandwich! I spent yesterday baking apple pies and snacking on cheese and crackers. I snuck in a few apple slices on my cheddar & crackers – yum!

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    Evan B — October 12, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    Um YES please! ps. everyone in the office loved your brownie recipe- it has totally become my go-to 🙂

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    Jen — October 12, 2010 at 10:20 pm

    I love making grilled cheese with a really great goat’s milk gouda–it’s our new favorite grilled cheese–but I think I’d die and go to heaven if I made it this way! thanks for sharing.

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    newlywed — October 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    This looks delicous! I love the combination of apples and cheese. It is great to see a savory apple recipe…I have lots too!

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    .dear.jenny. — November 25, 2010 at 1:48 am

    HUSH! oh my…looks amazing!!

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    Souffle Bombay (Colleen) — January 6, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    I HAVE to try this!!!

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