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.
Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F (218C). Cut end off each head of garlic, the pointy side, not the root side. This will expose the garlic cloves. Set each head of garlic in a square of foil (enough to fully wrap each head in). Spoon 1 tsp of olive oil over each head of garlic. Wrap each head loosely making sure the foil is closed. Roast for 35 minutes.
- While the garlic is roasting, using a large knife, cut the pita bread into 32 little wedges. Brush each wedge with olive oil. Bake during the last 8 minutes of roast time with the garlic. The pitas will crisp up after being removed from the oven. Allow them to cool.
- Peel the garlic cloves out of their skins, gently. This is often messy as the garlic is very soft. Just do your best to remove all the skins.
- At this point, the appetizer can be assembled with each component placed separately on a serving platter. Spoon room temperature goat cheese into a small serving dish and place the pitas, sun dried tomatoes, garlic cloves, thinly sliced basil, kalamata and tomatoes separately on to a serving dish. Severing this way allows for the pitas to be served warm and individual canapés assembled by guests. I find this arrangement agreeable if sharing with a few others. If sharing with a larger group, press on!
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the roasted garlic, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Process until smooth. There will still be chunks in the cheese, and this is okay, but they need to be small enough as to not overwhelm a bite.
- Spoon the goat cheese mixture into a plastic sandwich bag, forcing the cheese to one corner of the bag. Cut a small hole in the end of the bag and pipe on to the pita wedges. Top with cherry tomato, kalamata olive and basil leaf or tiny basil ribbon. *Cut basil turns black/brown, so try to find tiny leaves. A fresh thyme leaf is an option as well, which tastes delicious!
- Sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt over each canapé before serving. Serve immediately.
I made this appetizer this past Saturday and it was absolutely delicious. I brought it over to share for a birthday party and everyone loved it. Thank you so much for this recipe. I have tried a lot of you recipes and they are wonderful as well.
Hiii Judith! Thank you for your note and kind words – so happy everyone enjoyed the canape’! It’s a most beloved appetizer around here too!
I love bite sized appetizers, Traci! I could make a meal out of little bite sized appetizers and I’d enjoy them with a glass of beer. I’m a beer gal but the garnacha wine sounds interesting so I’d give it a try. :)
Me too Julie! These are sooo good, and easily adapted to a less fussy appet. if needed. Beer would be good.. in fact, Rob loves these bites with a good cold beer! :D
Garnacha is my favorite wine. Literally.
These canapes look and sound just delicious. I so wish I could have a glass of that wine with these simple yet delicious looking canapes now.
So beautiful.. Cheers!
PS: Roasted Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Canapé sounds AMAZING too. :)
Oh I’d love to know your favorite! Mine, so far, is the OVG. Loved how rich and bold it is! Thank you Aysegul! :D
This is the kind of appetizer that is worth the fuss, Traci, because I’d be eating quite a few them as I prep ’em! This has all of my favorite flavors and ingredients neatly assembled…they’re almost too pretty to eat, but I stress the word almost…fact is, I’d down ’em all. I, too, love wine and enjoying lovely finger foods like this with it. In fact, I just enjoy eating finger foods all the time, so I could even seem myself eating this is as a lunch or something, no wine necessary, although I wouldn’t deny a glass if you offered! ;) Absolutely gorgeous, Traci, and so so yummy!!
It really makes a nice presentation, Beeta. Indeed, I tend to overload on these a bit if it’s just Rob and I sharing. They are one of my go-to recipes for a fabulous appetizer. I’d be happy to share this and a glass of wine, Beeta! :D
This looks absolutely amazing and the presentation is to die for!
http://dreamingindubai.blogspot.ae/
Thank you so much Natasha! :D
How fancy are these little beauties?! Looks and sounds deeeelish – also, I’m a sucker for animated .gifs – well done. WINE? Cheers, lady!
Thank you my dear! Saving a glass for you! :D
I used to hate wine too! It took me so long to warm up to it but now it is all I drink. And I especially love to drink it with fun appetizers like these canapes! I can just taste all the roasted garlic deliciousness in there! Now I’m wishing it was Friday :)
Oh yes, you’d love these Izzy and with wine is a must! :D
WOW! How beautiful!! What a pretty, delicate and delicious recipe! I just love this! Thanks so much for sharing :)
Thank you Cailee! Delicate yet bold, you said it! I hope you enjoy the recipe! :D
These look beautiful, like little works of art on the plate.
I can just imagine sitting watching the sun set, drinking icy rose wine, chatting to friends and gobbling so many of these.
Yummy.
Pinning :-)
Awh, thank you, Claire and for your pin! Not only are they delicious to eat, but fun to make! :D
Gorgeous, fabulous photos, I just want to eat everything I see on your blog! Love this little and flavorful appetizer!
Thank you so much Katalina! :D
Hi Traci,
I’ve seen your face around other blogs in the comments section and this is my first time stopping by your beautiful blog. I love these canapé. And your GIF is so great. I have been so into pita recently. I make my own (so much fun to watch them blow up into balloons in the oven). They also taste SO much better than the store bought variety. Looking forward to topping them this way! Nice to “meet” you.
Awh, thank you so much for stopping by Kathryn! So nice to have you here. How delicious, making homemade Pina! They are fun to watch puff up and this canape on homemade pita? It doesn’t get much better than that! I hope you enjoy the recipe. :D
First of all I’d like to kill someone at my Internet providers office. Dang thing has been out ALL weekend so I am just now seeing this post. *grrrrr* I am a HUGE lover off all things bite sized, especially canapes. Something about them is so elegant. In culinary school there was an entire portion of a semester dedicated to them… obviously I was a very happy girl during that time! I LOVE these, Traci! Flavorful, beautiful, and need to be stuffed into my mouth… preferably on repeat and accompanied by a little (or a lot of) Garnacha! I grew up with a mother who loves wine, so I like them all.. but im with you- white wine in the summer, but red most of the time! These canapes are stunners, my friend! Can’t wait to make them this Friday (because Fridays are made for appetizers and wine)! Pinned! Cheers, lovely lady!
Hehe… I know! The Internet can be so great, but when it’s down, it’s so frustrating! So glad to see you’re up and going again! Oh you’d love these Cheyanne! Pop em’ in your mouth with wine… it’s the best! Thank you for your pin my dear! I’ll be enjoying these with you on Friday nights! :D
I am all over the Mediterranean flavours in these! Seriously, I could just live on goat cheese, olives, sun dried tomatoes, and some sort of bready goodness. I need to move to Italy or something. ;)
Oh yes, lets just move to Italy and eat bread and cheese all day, Chelsea! haha! :D
A few of these bites and some red wine on a Friday afternoon sounds just about perfect. I hope we get to do that together someday, dear friend! And I’m looking forward to checking out Garnacha wines! I will look for them next time I’m at the store!
Oh Liz, me too! I’d love that :D. Wine, friends and food… the best! I think you’d like Garnacha. I’m really excited about it!
Traci I am loving this post because cocktail hour and cute little canapes like these are my fave! I LOVE Kalamata olives too! I am putting these on my list for when I visit my Mom in Florida this fall. I will definitely give the Garnacha wine a try too! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!
Hooray, Mary Ann! I love happy hour too, at home mostly! It’s so fun to come up with little apps and share them. Thank you my dear! :D
Just lovely, Traci – I wish I could come over and eat these with you and have a big glass of wine – what a great way to start the weekend. I love a glass of wine after work to relax so I will be checking out Garnacha’s line. The more garlic the better – so two cloves for me! Gorgeous pictures as always!
Hehe! Oh I’d love that Geraldine! Wine, friends and little bites are a fabulous way to bring in the weekend. I’m with ya on the garlic, so I’ll make sure I load it up for us! :D
lovely explanation of garnacha! i had it for the first time about two years ago and i agree – it goes well with salty, savory bites like these canapes. what a beautiful presentation too. i could definitely see this happening for a future girl’s night! xo
A remarkable wine, eh? I am really interested in their cultivation and am excited to have discovered them because their not as resource intensive as other wines. I hope you enjoy this recipe Amanda! Perfect for a girls night. :D
Oh how I miss appetizers and wine! Having cute little bites isn’t the same without a cold glass of white wine. Looking forward to enjoying this again after baby comes. Until then, I’ll enjoy these canape’s with some apple cider : ) Love the flavors in these!
No doubt… very soon my dear. Saving one for you with apple cider!
Love these canapés! And Ganaha wine sounds like the perfect addition! Pinning!
Thank you Mira… You’d enjoy Garnacha. I love discovering new wines and this one is fabulous! Thank you for your pin my dear!
I am a fiend for canapés! They’re bite-sized little pieces of joy. It’s just so easy to discreetly pop them into your mouth one at a time until the whole plate is gone! These are so tasty and beautiful!
Hooray for Canapés! You’ll love this with one of your fabulous cocktails, Meagan! I’ve been known to eat these with Bourbon ;) , something I know you’d enjoy! :D
I love these cute little appetizers! I agree, Friday nights are better with a little bite to eat and a chilled glass of wine :)
I couldn’t agree more Abby! These are so cute and easy to eat! Enjoy my dear! :D
These look soooo good! They sound so flavourful and perfect to accompany a glass of wine. I would definilty go for the two heads of garlic! I’m not a big olive fan but I think these would’ve just as good without. Better, in my opinion lol ;). I’m having our family over for a final dinner before we move and I’m just preparing the menu. Lots of appies. Easy is key and this one is going on my list. I’m sure everyone will love it! Thanks for sharing
Good without, but kalamata are soooo bold and delicious! But I get it. It WILL still be delicious without. Your final dinner sounds wonderful! Wishing you an easy and low stress move, Julie!
I looove kalamata olives- your canape is brilliant. Pinning! :)
Oh thank you Madha!! And for your pin! :D