Goat Cheese Crostinis

Cherries in wine, ya'll. On top of goat cheese crostinis.

With ham. It's YUM.

Why these make the best appetizer!

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 food that much better.

Remember the Bourbon Peach Pork Tenderloin recipe from a few weeks ago?  I'm still thinking about it, and it may have partially inspired these boozy cherries.  

How many times can I say booze?  Let's count together.

But really, what inspired this whole entire recipe - the goat cheese crostinis - is an amazing appetizer I had at one of my most favorite restaurants.  

I wasn't even going to order an appetizer that night, but it would've been one of the most devastating nights of my life if I didn't.  

That's just a tad dramatic, but it's okay.  Because once you try it, you'll completely understand.

How to make goat cheese crostinis

It starts by soaking dried, unsweetened cherries in a vat of cherry wine.  {I know we've covered this, but I needed you to know exactly how it's done.}  

After spending a coupla hours in the wine bath, they'll get all plump and juicy and will burst in your mouth when you bite down on 'em.  

It's insanely delicious, and it's going to be difficult not to shovel all of the cherries in your mouth, then guzzle down the remaining wine.  

Consider yourself warned.

So if you have any cherries left, it's time to make the rest of the appetizer.

The base is thick slices of crusty baguette that have been drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and toasted to perfection in a hot oven.  {And don't forget to save a few slices for next week's recipe.  

It's a surprise - just trust me on this one.}  THEN.  Each crostini gets a thick layer of creamy, tangy goat chz.  I used lemon flavored, and I know honey flavored would taste fantastic as well, but plain is just fine if you can't find any of the fancy flavors.  

Really, you can't go wrong with any kind of goat chz.  Amiright?

After that, a little folded blanket of smoked ham {the smoked part is important here} goes on top of the goat chz pillow and is topped with a heaping tablespoon of drunken cherries and a smattering of fresh thyme.  It's earthy.

As if that wasn't enough, each little guy gets a scoop of nuts {your choice} and a generous drizzle of honey.  

And don't forget the pinch of salt.

You guys, this is just perfection. 

Crunchy.  Creamy.  Tangy.  Smokey.  Nutty.  Salty.  Honey.

You get the point, friends.

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