Goat Cheese, Smokey Ham & Wine-Soaked Cherry Crostinis

Recipe by The Gourmet RD

Cherries in wine, ya'll. But seriously, these cherries are boozed up and juicy as ever.  I know this isn't my first boozy recipe, you guys, but there is just something about it {booze} that makes

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsweetened dried cherries
• ½ cup cherry wine or sweet red wine
• 1 baguette, sliced ½-1 inch thick
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• dash coarse salt
• 4 oz creamy goat cheese {lemon, honey or plain}
• 2 oz smoked ham (thinly sliced)
• ¼ cup unsalted nuts (crushed)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp honey

Method

1. Place dried cherries and wine in a jar fitted with a lid. If the wine doesn’t cover the cherries, add a little water. Allow cherries to soak for 2 or more hours, until cherries are plump. Drain. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes, until crisp. Allow to cool. Spread a thick layer of goat cheese on each crostini. Top each with a slice of thin ham, a tablespoon of wine-soaked cherries, a teaspoon of nuts and a few thyme leaves. Drizzle each crostini with teaspoon of honey and a dash of coarse salt {optional}. Serve.

View the recipe instructions at The Gourmet RD