Fresh mozzarella, sweet cherry preserves, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar come together in this delicious baked crostini. Perfect for an appetizer, an afternoon snack, or a last-minute drop-in guest!
When we first moved into our house, we had a pretty heavily wooded lot. Not like state park wooded, but definitely campsite wooded....enough so that within our first year of living here, we had definitely seen raccoons, deer, wild turkeys, possums, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and mice. All in our yard. All within 15 feet of our house. NOT always alive....but that's a different story. In terms of privacy, it was amazing! Most of the time we had no idea what our neighbors were doing (or if we even had neighbors...) and coming from our tiny starter lot, it was great!! And then the wild cutting began.
It started with a professional, who we hired to take down some seriously problematic trees (the worst offender? A GIANT evergreen hanging out right smack dab in the middle of our backyard.) And then everyone else joined in. Jorden, and the neighbors, and Jorden again.....until our wooded lot disappeared altogether and we gained a direct view into both next door neighbors' yards. The good news? We really like our neighbors! The other good news? At least we still had privacy behind us!
Key word: had. Because this past spring the power company sent us a note, saying that 4 trees on the edge of our lot....behind us....needed to come down. And so, just like that, any remaining privacy we had was obliterated! Since then, we've been tossing around ideas about what to do back there.....and in the mean time, the house behind us has gone up for sale. It's interesting - up until the trees came down, I wouldn't have cared at all that it was for sale....or who might buy it! Who you have as neighbors really doesn't matter if you don't even know they're there! But now? Now I am invested.
And so....when there was an open house there this past Sunday, we went! To scope it out....just in case we might be able to convince some friends or family members to move into our neighborhood....right behind us, in fact! Because even if they got into the habit of daily drop-ins, I'd so much rather have someone we know and like moving into that house! Just in case our convincing actually works, I'll be sure to have these 4 simple ingredients on hand....the perfect combination of sweet and savory, just right for your next get together.....or your new favorite drop-in guests!!
Balsamic Cherry Crostini
1 fresh baguette, sliced into 1/2 or 3/4 inch slices
1 (12 oz.) jar cherry preserves (I used Smucker's Orchard's Finest)
2 (8 oz.) packages fresh mozzarella pearls
balsamic vinegar
*exact amount of each will vary depending on size of baguette
1. Top each baguette slice with 1 Tbsp. cherry preserves, 4 mozzarella pearls, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
2. Bake at 425 degrees 7-8 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Enjoy!
Looking for some more delicious balsamic recipes? Check out these ones!
Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling...
I hope you feel right at home!
-Cathy
I'd like a piece now with some coffee or tea. ☺
ReplyDeleteIt would be DELICIOUS with coffee or tea! I never thought of it, but this would make a delicious breakfast, too!! Good idea :)
DeleteIs it weird that I'M a little invested when it comes to who moves in? These look delish Cath!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! Just think....you could have lived there!! ;)
DeleteWhat a great appetizer! I love it when friends drop in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tonia! I don't have many drop ins....but they're definitely fun when they happen! (As long as I can get over my messy house!!) :)
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea, sounds absolutely delicious. Great balance of flavors, can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Thanks so much, Eric! The balsamic worked wonders for balance. I hope you give them a try!
DeleteWow wow wow this sounds so goooood!!!! And so easy. I need all of these ingredients in my mouth, right this second. Maybe I need to move in next door to you.... ;)
ReplyDeletexox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
That would be fun, Bailey!! You know what the best thing about this is? You can keep all the ingredients on hand and make it whenever you have a taste for it!! (You could always use pre-toasted bread instead of fresh in a pinch :)
DeleteThis reminds me of something we served at the wine bar I used to work at! This is definitely something my husband and I would love! Thanks for the recipe Cathy!
ReplyDeleteJust getting back from Cape Cod and vacation, feeling a little blue. Leave it to you to feature a delicious treat that will make me giddy! Yummy! Grocery store, here I come!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYum! I love everything about this little bite! And ... that is my favorite jam Ever!
ReplyDeleteFound on Whimsy Wednesday!!! YUM!
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous, our readers would also enjoy this! Stop by and link at our SUPER SUNDAY Link Party, live now through Tuesday evening!
Lori
Who Needs A Cape?
Not Your Average Super Moms!