Manchego and Fig Jam Crostini | Friday Night Bites

The countdown has begun.  I am referring to when this election will be OVER.  I am typically not political but this year, you can’t help but get swept up in it all with the two primary candidates.  Regardless of your political party affiliation, in my opinion, this year’s election is a train wreck.  It is causing fueled conversation and strong opinions among many.

I have a friend on Facebook that is definitely drawn to one of the candidates – I won’t say who – but I can say it would NEVER be my choice.  Recently this person searched the fan page of the opponent and determined who of her friends had liked that person’s page, then proceeded to post a screen shot of the friends who liked the other candidates fan page. I happened to pop up on this screenshot.  She went on to rant that if her friends liked this candidate, that she is vehemently opposed to, she could not be friends anymore on Facebook.

I thought to myself, if this is what this election has come to, that is crazy.  First of all, we live in a free country and have the freedom of choice to vote for whoever we think is the best candidate.  Second, we all have the freedom of speech, which she is obviously exercising.  Lastly, I find it challenging when people on Facebook use it as a political forum and can’t respect each others opinions, preferences and thoughts.  Okay – I am done ranting. Sigh.

Let’s move onto the fun stuff – appetizers!  I happen to have a great one for this week’s Friday Night Bites series.  Hubby and I went to a fundraiser a few weeks ago and I had this little Crostini.  I quickly had to inquire about what the heck was on this delicious little bite of wonder.  The caterer let me know it was fig jam, truffle oil, manchego cheese and a bit of fresh basil.  I quickly made a note on my phone with the ingredients so I could recreate and of course add my own spin.  The end result was nothing short of supreme goodness in a two bite delight. 

The recipe is a bit loose with the measurements but will taste divine – I promise you.  I would suggest serving with a great Chardonnay that is a bit on the dry side to off set the sweetness of the fig jam. The full bodied butter tones of a Chardonnay with compliment this Crostini perfectly.

Manchego and Fig Jam Crostini

Makes 16

1 Baguette, 16 thin sliced

Olive Oil

Salt

Fig Jam

1 Cup Manchego Cheese, Grated

4 Fresh Figs

Basil

Truffle Oil

Fleur de Sel

Brush each baguette slice with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.  Lay onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Flip over halfway through the cooking process.  Remove and let cool.

Spread each one with a teaspoon of fig jam.  Drizzle a few drops of truffle oil on each one.  Place a pinch of the manchego cheese on each one and top with thin slices of the fresh basil and finally a quarter of the fresh fig.  Sprinkle a touch of fleur de sel on each fresh fig.