Blistered Tomatoes with Goat Cheese and a Cranberry Ginger Spritz
Lia Soneson
You'll love how easy this appetizer is to make, and what amazing flavors it returns. Simply roast cherry tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and herbs, then spread over a fresh goat and cream cheese layer. The baked tomatoes will melt the cheese becoming the perfect dip for serving with crackers, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables. PLUS, enjoy this fabulous appetizer with a festive cranberry ginger spritz mocktail or cocktail!
Blistered Tomatoes with Goat Cheese and a Cranberry Ginger Spritz
Serves 4-6
Appetizer Ingredients:
24 ounces of cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 (16 oz) log fresh goat cheese
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup half-and-half
Fresh basil, chiffonade cut for garnish
Cranberry Ginger Spritz Ingredients:
3 ounces ginger beer
2 ounces cranberry juice
1 ounce fresh orange juice
1 ounce fresh lime juice
2 ounces vodka (optional)
2 sprigs rosemary, for garnish
Directions for the Appetizer:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2. Wash the tomatoes, Keep tomatoes attached to the vine if they are sturdy. If the stems are small, remove them at this time. Place in a baking dish and drizzle with 1/4 cup of olive oil. Nestle the smashed garlic into the olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
3. Bake the tomatoes until blistered and hot, about 20-25 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the cheese base. In a food processor, blend together the goat cheese, cream cheese, and half-and-half until well-combined and smooth.
5. Spread the cheese mixture on a serving platter.
6. Once the tomatoes are cooked, remove any remaining stems if they are still intact. Spoon tomatoes. directly over the cheese mixture. The cheese base will melt into a delicious dip.
7. Garnish with a festive sprinkle of basil chiffonade.
8. Serve the dip with crackers, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Directions for the Spritz:
9. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, stir all of the ingredients together. Serve over ice with a rosemary sprig and an orange slice garnish. TIP: This is a great mocktail or cocktail to serve during the holiday season (the vodka is optional!)