Checks & Plaids with Apple Walnut Crostini

Enjoy this Apple Walnut Crostini appetizer, made with delicious Honey Crisp apples and gorgonzala cheese.

Friends, do you know how much I am loving plaids this fall and holiday season?

Here are a few things that make me happy. A new poncho, fun paper napkins, a runner for the holidays (and a runner from last year’s holidays), and I really want to find a red plaid blanket for my living room for Christmas!

I think plaids remind me of my childhood, because I had several cool, chic outfits (skirts and dresses) growing up! By the way, do you know the difference between checkers and plaids? Checkers are a checked pattern consisting of crossed horizontal and vertical lines forming squares, and a plaid is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. The colors are usually deep and intense with a plaid.

Be creative with your checks and plaids for the holidays; after all, Target is our leader, right? :) (If you’ve seen their commercials.) I’d like to get my hands on some checked Christmas dishes!

Are you looking for an easy appetizer, a classic that’s been around for a long time, that is meant to be enjoyed while cozying up with an old plaid blanket (on my holiday shopping list) or sitting in front of a fire?

Red plaid runner from Fred meyer.

Red and white check runner from Target.

Black and white Courtly Check chargers (plates) from MacKenzie-Childs.

Plaid napkins from Target.

Candles from TJ Maxx.

Black and white poncho from Macy’s (Lucky).

Checked gift bags from Joanne’s Fabrics.

Apple Walnut Crostini.

I brought this to a recent party, and because it’s so light and fresh, everyone loved it!

But let’s talk apples here. I’m so tired of buying beautiful apples at the market, and being so disappointed when I get them home. Which is why I only buy Honeycrisp, at least during this season. I had a very sweet conversation with an elderly lady yesterday about tart apples versus eating apples. I told her why we love Honeycrisp over other mushier, mealier varieties. They are a bit more money, but so worth the flavor, texture, and crispness!

So for this recipe, I used honeycrisp apples!

There’s nothing like an appetizer served on a fresh French baguette, toasted to perfection! I love to serve crostini at a diner party, and now that the holidays are here, using fresh ingredients such as apples and cranberries is not only beautiful, but festive in flavor. (A reader asked if you could serve this on crackers instead of a baguette. Absolutely!)

Toast the crostini with olive oil on one side for only a few minutes. Toasting one side makes the crostini tender and not too crisp.

Chop the apples and mix together with delightful gorgonzola cheese, and chopped walnuts.

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese (or goat cheese), adding the apple mixture on top!

Drizzle De Nigris’s Glaze for a wonderful, sweet balsamic flavor, so perfect for the palate, with the cheese and the sweetness of the apples.

Happy festive entertaining!

I also made a different version with cranberries at De Nigris, which is really fun for Thanksgiving!

Do you have anything “plaid or checkered” for this fall season?

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Apple Walnut Crostini

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield: 8 -10

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Ingredients

 

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• 8 oz. French bread baguette, sliced diagonally (about ½” thick)
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• 2-3 Tbsp. goat cheese for spreading
• 1/4 cup Gorgonzala cheese
• ½ medium Honeycrisp apple, chopped small
• 1/8 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tsp. honey
• De Nigris’s Balsamic Glaze

Instructions

 

• Pre-heat the oven to HI broil. Place the baguette slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Broil for 1-3 minutes, until toasty. Remove from the oven.
• Spread each toasted baguette slice with the soft cream cheese (or goat cheese).
• In a small bowl, combine the gorgonzola cheese, cranberries, apples, and walnuts. Gently mix together. Drizzle the honey on top. Gently mix again. Divide the mixture evenly amongst the baguette slices and place on top of the cheese.
• Drizzle each piece with De Nigris’s Glaze; serve immediately.

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

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