Pear Chutney And Goat Cheese Bruschetta Recipes

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice bread diagonally into 32 scant 1/2-inch-thick slices; reserve ends for making bread crumbs another day. Place bread slices on 2 cookie sheets. Toast bread 10 minutes or until crusty and dry, turning slices over once. Transfer bread to wire racks to cool.
• Meanwhile, prepare pear chutney: Peel and core pears; cut into 1/2-inch pieces. In nonstick 12-inch skillet, cook pears, sugar, raisins, vinegar, ginger, five-spice powder, and salt over medium heat 25 to 30 minutes or until all of liquid evaporates and sugar caramelizes, stirring frequently during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Mixture will become very thick and turn dark brown. Cool chutney to room temperature.
• Just before serving, assemble bruschetta: Spread 1 rounded teaspoon goat cheese evenly on each toasted bread slice. Top each with 1 scant tablespoon pear chutney and a parsley leaf.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the baguette slices lightly with olive oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, the vinegar and honey in a bowl. Stir in the thyme and red pepper flakes. Add the roasted peppers and shallots to the dressing, and season with salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine, then fold in the parsley. Set aside or place in the refrigerator to marinate.
• Spread each toast with a small spoonful of goat cheese. Top with a spoonful of the pepper mixture, followed by a pinch of microgreens. Arrange on a platter and serve.