Description
Succulent goat cheese bruschetta dip blends Mediterranean flavors with creamy textures. Garden-fresh ingredients create a zesty appetizer perfect for casual gatherings and elegant parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) goat cheese
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Balsamic glaze (optional)
- Toasted baguette slices
- Crackers
- Pita chips
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C), establishing an ideal environment for the appetizer’s transformation.
- Cheese Mixture: Thoroughly blend goat cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper into a smooth, homogeneous composition that promises depth and richness.
- Baking Setup: Distribute the creamy cheese mixture evenly in an oven-safe dish, positioning it for optimal melting and golden development.
- Baking Process: Bake the cheese blend for 15-20 minutes until edges turn golden brown and the surface becomes delightfully effervescent and slightly puffy.
- Bruschetta Topping: Gently combine diced tomatoes, chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, creating a vibrant and fresh complementary mixture.
- Final Assembly: Remove the baked cheese from the oven and generously crown it with the prepared bruschetta topping, generating a striking color and flavor contrast.
- Serving Presentation: Drizzle with optional balsamic glaze and immediately serve alongside toasted baguette slices, artisan crackers, or crisp pita chips, inviting immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Cheese Temperature Tip: Let goat and cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother, lump-free blending.
- Tomato Selection Strategy: Choose ripe, firm Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes for maximum flavor and minimal excess liquid in bruschetta topping.
- Baking Precision Technique: Use a shallow, wide ceramic or cast-iron dish to promote even heating and create those coveted golden, crispy cheese edges.
- Dietary Flexibility Hack: Swap regular cheese for dairy-free alternatives and use gluten-free crackers to make this recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant or gluten-sensitive guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg