Crunchy and creamy with a hint of lemon. Seared Mushroom Crostini with Herb-Whipped Goat Cheese makes a beautiful appetizer your family and guests will love. Vegetarian.
“But listen to me. For one moment quit being sad. Hear blessings
dropping their blossoms around you.” ~Rumi
I’m having to dig deep, y’all.
I’m feeling numb inside.
This morning I tried meditating, yet my mind wandered, raced and I struggled focusing on what usually centers my day.
I’m trying to make sense out of the past 24 hours as the election has come to a close.
The division is palpable.
The frustration, real.
It was revealed in this election.
Questions running through my head…..
Was the collective conscious that incensed. How do we come together. Can we.
I too am frustrated with the establishment, the greed, gridlock, and infighting. But I’m also frustrated that we elected a president who doesn’t share values based on respect and equality for all. If he represents We the People, then this saddens me because then he is a reflection of our society even though half our country voted otherwise.
I’m sad for my immigrant friends and those I’ve never met. Diversity is our strength. I’m angry that this president-elect, who denies a problem exists, will not prioritize urgent environmental issues. We must understand what’s at stake by making economic growth a priority, at the expense of the environment.
Don’t get me wrong. Neither candidate was ideal in my eyes, but I had to make a choice.
Only time will tell. It will take all of us to decide if this is in fact what we wanted based on the consequences of our collective choice.
At the end of the day, we will get through this. There are many lessons here. Some told, many untold.
Insert witty segue.
A friend and I whipped these crostinis up a few weeks ago. It was the first time I’d ever tried oyster mushrooms and I completely flipped for them.
Mushrooms are a powerhouse of nutrition both medicinally and culinary and can save the world!
Mushrooms for president!
They’re nature’s workhorses, assisting in the decay process in our beloved forest ecosystems. Mushrooms are beautiful fungi that have enamored us with their fairytale shapes and mystery for eons. They are a hearty addition to your table.
Have you tried oyster mushrooms? How are you feeling about the election? Please share your thoughts below.
Seared Mushroom Crostini with Herb-Whipped Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Sourdough Baguette sliced into 18 pieces
- 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil + more for brushing the crostini
- 12 oz Oyster Mushrooms ends trimmed and rough chopped, 340g
- 1 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Fresh Parsley chopped and divided
- Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper
- 4 oz Goat Cheese 113g
- 3 Tbs Cream Cheese
- 1 tsp Fresh Rosemary finely chopped
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Brush baguette slices with olive oil, place on the sheet pan and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Set aside.
- In a large nonstick pan, heat the olive oil on medium high until shimmering. Add the mushrooms in an even layer and allow to sear without stirring for 3-4 minutes. When golden, flip and toss mushrooms every 3-4 minutes up to 10 minutes reducing heat as needed to prevent scorching making sure all sides are golden. A minute before removing the mushrooms from the heat, toss in the garlic and stir well. Remove the mushrooms from heat and toss with 1 tsp of parsley. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the goat cheese, cream cheese, rosemary and lemon juice. Process until smooth and light.
- Spread whipped cheese on the cooled crostini, top with a spoonful of mushrooms, parsley, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
The mushrooms can be seared up to two days ahead of when needed and the whipped goat cheese up to one week prior to use. Store both in the refrigerator in a lidded containers.
Nutrition (estimated per serving):
These crostini look amazing!!
It was great that you shared how you felt about the election! We are of like mind. Thanks for this great recipe and I will serve it this holiday for sure! Love that some things can be made ahead of time and brought together last minute,…I always search for recipes that allow some pause. I don’t enjoy craziness at dinner parties and try to keep food cleaner and simpler to prepare. Chin up, it’s gonna be a hard 4 years in my opinion.
Thank you for your kind words, Heide! No doubt, it’s going to be a tough four years. I hope you enjoy these little crostini! I could eat them all myself, easily :0 ! That’s what I love about it too… make ahead, especially when working with caramelized onions. They taste amazing but take a lot of time. I’m whipping this up for a little gathering this week, ahead of time. Enjoy my dear!
I completely understand your sentiments from the election, especially as it pertains to environmental issues. But I’m hoping we can learn to move past the reactionary state, come together as one nation and put our faith in the next president. All of the protesting and name calling is only pushing us further apart.
On a lighter note, this crostini looks heavenly. A plate of these + a glass of wine and I’m set! ;)
I’m with you, Sarah. We’re already aware of the divide. Now it’s time to get to work, to be the change we want to see! Wine and crostini? Absolutely!
Oh boy. Where to even start with the election. In my opinion both candidates were awful. I can only speak for loved ones and friends who have shared their feelings with me, when I say a vote for Donald Trump wasn’t about sharing his values or even LIKING him as a person. I think a large portion of his votes were from people who just wanted a change and were not happy with our current economic situation. It really had nothing to do with his immigration outlook or outlandish statements and values. The sweeping generalizations people have made about anyone who voted for Trump deeply saddens me. I personally know and love people who voted for him and they are none of the nasty names or disgusting stereotypes people are labeling them. More people need to learn to respect everyone’s constitutional right to vote for whomever they like and quit the name calling and bullying. But, that is just my opinion and two cents. ;) Anyways, I digress. Let’s talk about this beautiful crostini!!!! <3 SO gorgeous, Traci!! I am swooning over the meaty seared mushrooms with that creamy, herb spiked goat cheese! Carb heaven, my dear!!! Cheers to you, lovely! xoxo
Thank you for sharing, Chey. xo I think there are many people who do respect the constitutional right to vote and who aren’t name calling and bullying – unfortunately some are choosing to behave otherwise and they’re the ones getting a lot of attention. I did see there was a love/peace march in CA – some better news? Clearly we are a nation who wants change…what kind of change, I’m not sure. I’m still attempting to make sense of it all and listen with an open heart and mind. <3
I felt exactly how you do now, 8 years ago. I haven’t had a President that represents me in those last eight years. I have lived in fear that my rights and the rights of my children, are slowly being eroded in favor of a global order. For the last 8 years, I’ve been told that I am what is wrong with this country. A country that I was terribly proud of. I was told that my life didn’t matter, but other lives meant much much more. I was told that my rights and the rights of my daughters were secondary to those that hate me and my country. All the will my tax check got cashed every time I got paid
But you know what? I sucked it up and moved on. I didn’t riot, or loot or protest. I did my job and paid my fair share of taxes and took care of my family. I didn’t hide and my safe space or run from the reality. I hoped beyond hope that better days where ahead and that America was still that shinning light on the hill. Maybe they are coming, maybe they aren’t. But I personally feel much better today than I did 8 years ago. No person is going to be perfect; we are all flawed. Both candidates were far far from being ideal. But as of Tuesday, I feel that I have a voice again, that my life matters again and I am not what is wrong with the country, simply because of the color of my skin.
I can’t imagine someone telling me my life doesn’t matter. That must have been crushing. Agreed, we are human so perfection isn’t possible. I wouldn’t expect it. It feels good having a voice and know it’s being heard. Thank you for sharing, Chef.
The only reason Hillary lost is because of herself. As SOS (Secretary of State) she conspired against the American people when she decided to use a private server for e-mail to avoid transparency under the Freedom of Information Act. Her policies as demonstrated in her,”accomplishments” as Senator from NY resulted in the loss of jobs,the destruction of families and businesses because she promised 400,000 jobs and lower taxes. The jobs never materialized and businesses large & small fled to states like NC and Texas. She lost because she could not tell the truth to the American people. Revelations of the multi-million $$ donations to the Clinton Foundation from the worst human rights violators in the world–Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others, united freedom loving Americans across the country. I disagree with the diversity is our strength meme. Our freedom comes from our humanity (or God) as laid out by the Founders in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Our right to say what we think,publish what we say, worship or not to worship, follow a blog or not, our freedom to be left alone– all come from our humanity. Our Judeo-Christian culture sets us apart from the world as the freest nation. My neighbor from Venezuela is devastated by the radical leftist, socialist takeover of her country. Venezuela was known as,”The Switzerland of South America” until the radical left took over & nationalized their healthcare, businesses, banks and food. The results? Devastating poverty and no jobs,healthcare or food at the supermarkets. Only the rich,elite, leftist are eating and thriving. Eight years of Obama/Hillary resulted in trillions in debt,our troops being sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan, the total destabilization of the middle-east. From the beautiful Taj Hotel in Mumbai to the massacre’s in San Bernadino and the Gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando we recognize the Islamic-Supremacist enemy must be stopped by a strong leader who can identify (like FDR named the Nazi’s) the enemy. Those who love our freedom reject Sharia Law and the “Honor Brigades” who stone women/girls/gays etc. to death. We reject women covering their bodies with tent like Burkas. On a positive note–I love your blog and made your peach blueberry cobbler to rave reviews.
Thank you for sharing, Elissa. I think it important to reflect too on no just the previous administration, but the ones that came before it.. as it is a collection of those that have shaped our country and current affairs in the middle east. I’m certain we could point to flaws in both recent candidates. Not just one. But I’m glad we agree on that cobbler!
It was such a sad moment and it felt like a scary dream coming true. Still feeling very sad but hoping for the best for our country.
These crostinis look so good Traci!
I’m not even American and I feel crushed. I seriously didn’t think this outcome was possible.
This crostini looks lovely though – cheese, mushrooms, and bread is the ultimate comfort food combination!
I feel your pain, Traci. I too woke with a heavy heart these past couple of days, but I’m determined to promote love, peace, and unity. I also promise to work harder at making my voice known when it comes to the issues I really care about, including our planet and climate change. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, and thank you for this beautiful recipe. I love goat cheese, mushrooms, and everything about this dish! <3
I like your promise, Beeta. An important time to reflect for sure. Thank you for sharing.
Loved loved your post Traci! I feel the same way as you about the elections. Really sad state of affairs. Hopefully things are positive in a few months. But who knows.
I love oyster mushrooms, and I love your crostini creation here. It sounds sooo delicious and I would love to grab a few and eat them right now for snack :D Beautiful pictures as always!!
I totally stand with you. The past months and this week have been both infuriating and saddening. I hope that the results of this outcome somehow, hopefully not due to extreme negative results, bring us back together and help us open our hearts and minds.
One thing is for sure, these mushroom crostini will make everything better and give us a reason to smile.
This recipe is exactly what I want to be eating right now- savoury, comforting and so much flavour! (Who needs an occasion!) Your photography is bewitching as always, Traci.
I feel stunned and sad, Traci – these are dark days. I also feel cheated by the media – that what makes this so hard to face – the polls, news, media all said it wasn’t going to happen – but it did. I’m trying to have a positive outlook for the next 4 years but it’s not easy – I see so many problems to overcome – but maybe it will unite the country – but I’m doubtful. I think I need a hug.
Sending you hugs, Geraldine. Thank you for sharing. <3
These are gorgeous crostini…you know how I feel about toasted rounds of bread! ;) I am with you my friend…the last 36 hours have been eye-opening to say the least, but I am hopeful we can unite and move forward as a stronger nation. I couldn’t resist sharing my reaction to the election today, as well… Hope your day is great, my dear! xo
Read, and thank you too for sharing Annie. <3
That recipe sounds so yummy, and easy. I’m hoping to try this soon. Thanks
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, or scared I go to jw.org. Explore around the site and you’ll soon feel refreshed.
It’s the best site ever.
Thank you for your sharing and recommendation, Susan. <3
I’m with you, mushrooms for president! I love the way you put your good heart, and your love of life, into every post, Traci!
I second that! Mushrooms for President! Well, coming together (as tough as that sounds) is our only choice. How we ever got to this point I’ll never understand?!
This crostini looks scrumptious Traci. Mushrooms are actually one of the few vegetables Tom really enjoys, so I KNOW he’ll love these. Can’t wait to try! Happy weekend!
Traci I am right there with you. I have been moved to pray a bit more for the leaders of our country and all of us who call this country home. I know it may not happen over night, but I know prayer can change things. And then I go into my kitchen and cook good food.
Thank you for your kind words Celeste. Cooking in itself is a good meditation :D
Ugh. I’m struggling too, Traci. It’s been a rough couple days. I’m feeling so many emotions. And of course, I’m eating all my feelings. I love these crostinis. I make a very similar one at Thanksgiving every year and they are a big hit with all my family – even my picky cousins who I would never think would go for mushrooms!
I’ve eaten way too much too… trying to be mindful, yet sorting my feeling too. LOL Picky cousins… !!
Yes, we can come together. Maybe even closer than before. Because situations like this can unite people. I still believe in the good in all of us and now after the first shock has passed I feel like we need to prove it to everyone. We can come together. And your crostinis look amazing.
Thank you for your kind words, Kati :D