Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé

Name: Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 Large Heads of Garlic* (see note); 4 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided); 2 Pieces of Whole Wheat Pita Bread; 5 oz Goat Cheese (142g); 1/4 C Marinated Sun-dried Tomatoes (Julianne, 40g); 2 Tbs Fresh Basil (rough chopped + extra leaves for garnish); 1/4 C Kalamata Olives (pitted and sliced quarters, 32g); 8 Cherry Tomatoes (halved **(see note), 94g); A few of Pinches of Sea Salt for garnish

By Traci · Jump to Recipe ·

A quick and elegant appetizer to make ahead, this Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé is smooth, punchy and complex. Vegetarian | Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Garnacha Wines. Thank you for reading and supporting Vanilla And Bean! All opinions are my own.

I’m so excited to share new discoveries in this post; a canapé appetizer and wine! Can it get any better?

Looking for an easy canapé, to make ahead recipe? This is one you’ll make over and over again for gatherings, parties, and special events. Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé was developed by my sister, also a wine connoisseur, and we’ve been making this vegetarian canapé for years. It has bold flavors and varied textures, just what I like in an appetizer. The new-to-me part is the canapé appetizer.

What are Canapés?

Canapés are bite size appetizers usually served during cocktail hour. They’re often sweet or salty to encourage more drinking. I don’t generally need encouragement to drink more wine, but, hey! Okay.

Not all finger foods are canapés; think bruschetta, crostini, dips etc. Bite size, canapés are to be shared while mingling. The base of a canapé recipe is usually toasted bread, crackers, or pastry, for example, and cut into perfect little shapes such as discs, squares, or triangles. They’re topped with a spread that’s usually piped on, then layered with a main item, and garnished.

Now, I realize this can be fussy and time consuming. So if time is limited, simply place each component separately on a serving platter. This is how I’ve made this canapé appetizer many times before.

Otherwise, it’s an impressive pop in your mouth vegetarian canapé for sharing with a favorite wine and friends.

One of my favorite things to do on Friday afternoon is have an appetizer with wine. With easy canapés to make ahead, the afternoon can be enjoyed and savored rather than focusing on a more involved meal in the kitchen. Pairing this vegetarian canapé with wine is prure perfection. I love wine, but it hasn’t always been this way. It took a while for me to warm up to it. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate it’s nuances and luscious flavors.

New Discoveries

I recently discovered Garnacha Wine and am intrigued with how the grapes are grown and the history of the grapes. Most notably, Garnacha grapes are one of the most widely grown grapes in the world. But if you haven’t heard of them, yet are fan of blended wines, then you’ve probably enjoyed Garnacha before. But just in the past few decades, winemakers are embracing modern techniques with old traditions to produce a Garnacha stand alone varietal with delicious character.

About Garnacha Wine

What I found most interesting about Garnacha is the vines, often centuries old, benefit from poor, rock soils such as limestone and granite. It thrives in hot climates with evidence suggesting that water stress benefits the vines. The grapes are grown in Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, among others, in dry arid climates.

I was happy to learn Garnacha is also grown in California, where I can source it a little closer to home.

Garnacha produces red, white, and rose’. What’s your favorite? I like chilled white or rose’ form time-to-time during Summer, but I enjoy red the most. Garnacha red has a bold nose with notes of plum, blackberry, cherry and a hint of spice. It’s versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of food. Best of all, it’s affordable and pairs perfectly with this canapé recipe.

A Few Recipe Notes

For make ahead ease, this canapé recipe can be whipped up days before you’re ready to share it. Make the goat cheese mixture and store it for up to two days in advance. The pita can be toasted just prior to assembly and service.
No time for a fussy canapé recipe? Share the components separately on a platter with the goat cheese whip as the center piece.
Sharing this vegetarian canapé with a few other simple offerings such as olives and nuts, makes for an elegant appetizer or snack dinner.

To learn more about Garnacha, find them on FaceBook, Twitter, or Instagram.

A fabulous, one bite appetizer | Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé

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