I am so excited to share this simple recipe! Way, way back when, when we first started Half Baked Harvest. I created a recipe for blueberry balsamic jam with mozzarella toast. I remember sharing that recipe and feeling so excited. It was (and honestly still is) a great one! When I first started out, I had no fear. I didn’t second guess anything I was sharing, and I always felt so happy to share my creativity. Over the years, I’ve lost a little of that confidence, but it’s back today because even though this recipe is different, it’s so good! And just the prettiest, which you know I love.
Details
Step 1: make the jam I always make the jam first. It’s very easy to do and you don’t need anything special. You’ll need strawberries, lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Drop the fresh sliced strawberries into a medium size pot on the stove. Mix with the lemon juice and boil until the jam thickens up. Then just before you take the jam off the heat, add the honey and balsamic vinegar. The honey helps sweeten and thicken the jam, the vinegar is for yumminess. You can let the jam cool, then store in the fridge for a week or so. Step 2: the goat cheese When you’re ready to serve the jam, first mix up the goat cheese. Add goat cheese to a food processor with cream cheese, honey, and salt. Then whip everything together until the cheese is light and creamy, it’s easy. If you’re new to goat cheese, it’s creamy, a little tangy, and I always find it pairs best with something sweet. Typically that means a drizzle of honey, but adding fresh berries really kicks things up. Step 3: serve it You can enjoy this jam and whipped goat cheese in so many ways. But my two favorite ways are crostini-style over grilled bread or dip-style with the goat cheese in a bowl and the strawberries on top. I love to grill up ciabatta bread, then smear the warm bread with the creamy goat cheese. The berries go on top with basil, thyme, and a pinch of sea salt.
Notes, swaps, and substitutions
If you don’t love goat cheese, use cubed feta cheese and whip it with some honey. For the herbs, you can use any mix of fresh herbs that you love most. I find basil and thyme to pair perfectly with sweet strawberries. And lastly, while strawberries are my go-to for this crostini, raspberries, blackberries, or even blueberries would all work well. Peaches would be great too! Looking for other summer appetizer recipes? Here are some favorites. Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Thyme Butter Roasted Plums Pan-Fried Feta with Peppered Honey Peach Thyme Tarts Pan Fried Brie with Peppered Honey and Olives Lastly, if you make this Strawberry Jam with Honey Whipped Goat Cheese, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
