Radishes will always hold a special place in my heart with the memories of my children harvesting their first garden and the look of pure joy as they pulled them from the earth. To my kids they are even more special. They are symbolic of grandpa and summers spent on the farm. It was time I came up with a few more ways to serve these lovely spring vedge.
I don’t know about you all but I am always in need of a quick and delicious appetizer when it comes to holiday celebrations or even brunch. I want something that will pack a lot of flavor for a little bit of effort and time. You almost can never go wrong with cheese and baguette in any form unless there is some allergies in the house but I can attest to the fact that the cheese and radishes taste equally excellent on GF corn crackers! I wanted to liven up the goat cheese without over powering it making fennel fronds the perfect addition. The fennel fronds add a light herbed flavor that compliments the radishes beautifully. To balance the bite lemon adds the perfect acidity in both the zest and juice.
Remember to slice the radishes very thinly or the appetizer will be difficult to eat and the radishes will take over. A mandolin works beautifully as well as the slicing attachment for your food processor.
If you need another appetizer check out https://snapyoursupper.com/oysters-with-pear-mignonette-holiday-appetizer/
- 1 baguette sliced
- olive oil
- 4 oz plain goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fennel fronds the greenery on top of the fennel bulb
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 bunches radishes tops removed and thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon zest
- Flake sea salt fleur de sel
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Fennel fronds
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place sliced baguette on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
-
In medium sized mixing bowl add all of the herbed goat cheese ingredients. Beat on medium speed with a mixer until all ingredients are incorporated and mixture is smooth.
-
Spread cheese mixture on top of cooled toasted baguette slices. Layer radishes on top of cheese.
-
To garnish right before serving top radishes with additional lemon zest, a small sprinkling of flaked sea salt, fennel fronds and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Flaked sea salt will proved a textural interest to the crostini as well as a needed salt element that will not dissolve as other salts do