Bacon, Smoked Mozzarella and Blueberry Jam Crostini | Friday Night Bites

If you have been following me for a while, you know I have a small, okay, large obsession with crostinis. They are the perfect vessel for placing a combination of tasty ingredients on top of and then devouring. As for the combinations, those are simply an endless list. It can be a simple as some triple cream brie with a dollop of fig jam on top or something more complex with say ten different ingredients. Whatever the amalgamation you choose, it is destined to be remarkable.

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Crostinis have to be a favorite Friday Night Bite for Hubby and me. They are straightforward, delicious and an ideal one to two bite delight. While driving to a meeting in Sonoma this week, I figured I had time to dream up my Friday Night Bite for the week. For some reason bacon and blueberry jam kept dancing in my head. In addition, I had purchased some smoked mozzarella from Trader Joe’s that I was looking forward to using. Why not put all of these together! That was easy.

It was my birthday on Tuesday and needed to attend a meeting in Sonoma for half the day. Once the meeting was concluded, I took the rest of the day off. After my meeting was finished, I decided to stop by one of my new favorite wineries – Keating. It is located at Cornerstone in Sonoma – you know the place with the giant blue chair. If you have not been there, it is a great stop. Keating Wines is a small production winery that sources the best fruit from both the Napa and Sonoma appellations. They offer distinctive high-end Bordeaux varietal wines from Beckstoffer’s Georges III in Rutherford and Cabernet Sauvignon from the 45 year old Montecillo Vineyard in the Mayacamas mountain range. These are just a few of their superior wine choices.

The tasting room is nicely appointed and has such a warm feeling when you walk through the doors. Typically the winery doggie is there to great you as he sits on the chair or couch. He was actually not there when I ventured there this week. I have tried both of the cabs and simply love the 2009 Sonoma Valley Montecillo Cabernet Sauvignon and Keating only produces 220 cases of this wine. It is rich in dark berry flavor particularly blackberries and blueberries with a perfect addition of cedar and smoke. It would be perfect to age for the next five years but if you are like me and can’t wait, you can decant and let breath for an hour prior to enjoying.

If you are heading to Sonoma, please add Keating to your list or simply have a bottle or two shipped to your house – I promise if you love a great Cabernet, you will love this one.

Bacon, Smoked Mozzarella and Blueberry Jam Crostini

Makes 12

Baguette, cut into 12 – ¼ inch slices

4 Slices Bacon, cooked until crisp and broken into thirds for each Crostini

Blueberry Jam

Smoked Mozzarella Cheese (or plain mozzarella)

Flat leaf parsley, garnish

On a cookie sheet, lay the sliced baguette slices and top with a slice of the smoked mozzarella cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until just melted. If you prefer a bit more golden, leave in longer. Remove from the oven and top each one with a teaspoon of handmade or store bought blueberry jam. Next add a 1/3 of a slice of the crisp bacon and sprinkle with thinly sliced flat leaf parsley. Enjoy!