Valentine’s Day is on Thursday and I don’t know about you, but we are pretty excited over here. . . probably the most excited? My 5 year old daughter, Phoebe. Her kindergarten class is, of course, having a little party and will be decorating cookies, playing games, enjoying some treats and collecting Valentine’s Day cards from her classmates. Could it get any better?
I actually love all the pink and red craziness that you see everywhere now. . Truth be told, I’m a sucker for the pink, red and white m&m’s. And I think I especially enjoy this holiday now because of my girls. . I love seeing the holidays through their eyes. And because I am trying to channel my inner DIY craftsy-side more and more, I couldn’t resist sharing these Valentine’s Day cupcake flags from Sew. Craft. Create. . . aren’t these adorable? I will be making cupcakes and other goodies and using Heidi’s adorable cupcake flags.
My husband and I stay home on Valentine’s Day and eat dinner here with the girls. I can’t remember the last time we went out to dinner for Valentine’s Day. . probably before we had kids. These days, I very much prefer cooking and eating at home. . that’s not to say I don’t enjoy a date night with my husband at least once a month where we get a baby sitter and actually get to enjoy a meal with each other. How often do you have a date night with your spouse or significant other? I can’t believe we almost went an entire year without regular date nights. We let work, the kids and our busy schedules get the best of us but now we know these date nights are good for us, the kids, our family and our marriage. I know this now and you’d better believe that I always make sure we have the sitter booked and everything scheduled!
I wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day this year. These Green Olive, Goat Cheese and Basil Crostinis are one of our favorites and are so simple and easy to make. We will be eating these before dinner and this for dessert.
I hope you are able to enjoy some time with your loved ones and – even though I enjoy Valentine’s Day mainly because of my kids now – let’s remember we don’t need a day to remind us we need to express our love and appreciate the special people in our lives . . . we should be doing this everyday.
Enjoy!
Green Olive, Goat Cheese and Basil Crostini
Ingredients
- 1/2 baguette sliced 1/2 inch thick and toasted
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil + more if needed split
- Picholine Manzanilla or other green olives, chopped (1/2 cup)
- Black kalamata olives chopped (1/2 cup)
- 1/2- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic use however much you want
- 3/4 cup soft goat cheese 6 ounces; soft goat cheese if preferred so it's easily spreadable but a little chunky works too (whatever you can find at the store and prefer)
- about 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar + more if needed
- 1/2 cup basil; torn for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare the toasted baguette: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan on the stove over medium-high heat and place baguette pieces there. Toast until bread becomes golden brown; flip and toast both sides until crunchy.
- In a medium bowl, mix the chopped olives, olive oil and garlic
- Assemble: Spread each slice of toasted baguette with 2 teaspoons of the goat cheese, top with 1 tablespoon of the olive mixture, splash some balsamic vinegar over each one and top with the torn basil. Arrange the crostini on a platter and serve!
Recipe adapted from Food and Wine.
Sunday Supper
Check out what the rest of the Sunday Supper group is bringing for Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day Breakfasts, Apps & Main Dishes:
- Asparagus, Clam & Bay Shrimp Pasta from Galactopdx
- Bacon Double Cheese Burger Bites from In the Kitchen with KP
- Cheese Stuffed Cannelloni from Curious Cuisiniere
- Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta from MarocMama
- Green Olive, Goat Cheese & Basil Crostini from Hip Foodie Mom
- Indian Shrimp Pulao from Soni’s Food
- Individual Beef “Phyll-ingtons” from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Ranch, Bacon and Cheese Crisps from Daily Dish Recipes
- Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Frosting from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Rissóis de Camarão | Portuguese Shrimp Dumplings from Family Foodie
- Spicy Red Cabbage Quiche | Veggie Quiche Recipe from Masala Herb
Valentine’s Day Sweet Eats:
- Banana Bourbon Blondies from The Messy Baker
- Banana Cream Napoleon from Food Lust People Love
- Brown Butter M&M Cookies from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Brown Butter Rolo Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies from Damn Delicious
- Chocolate Baumkuchen from Webicurean
- Chocolate Bread Pudding from La Cocina de Leslie
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cake with Banana Cream from The Lovely Pantry
- Chocolate Covered Bacon from I Run For Wine
- Chocolate Covered Stuffed Strawberries from Country Girl in the Village
- Chocolate Mousse from Mom, What’s For Dinner?
- Chocolate Roll filled with Nutella Cream from Basic N Delicious
- Chocolate Velvet Ice Cream with Cherry Sauce from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas with Chocolate Sauce from The Roxx Box
- Coconut Sweetheart Cookies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Coeur a la Creme from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cream Cheese Mints from Simply Gourmet
- Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse with Coconut Cream from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte from Kelly Bakes
- #GlutenFree Chocolate Almond Cloudless Cake from Cooking Underwriter
- Heart Shaped White Chocolate Cakes with Raspberry Cream from Noshing with the Nolands
- Homemade Cherry Mash Candies from Juanita’s Cocina
- Maple-Date Bars from Diabetic Foodie
- Meyer Lemon Marmalade from Shockingly Delicious
- Mini Samoa Bundt Cakes from Ruffles & Truffles
- Molten Chocolate Lava Cake from Gotta Get Baked
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes from The Meltaways
- Pistachio and Chocolate Souffle from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Raspberry Custard Tart from Kudos Kitchen
- Raw Fudge Love from Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Red Velvet French Macarons with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Filling from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies from Magnolia Days
- Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars from Chocolate Moosey
- Red Wine Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting from The Urban Mrs.
- Strawberry Shortcake! from The Foodie Army Wife
- Strawberry Valentine Cake Hearts from Ninja Baking
- Tres Leches Tea Cakes with Honey Riesling Soaked Fruit from Neighborfood
- Valentine’s Bakewell Tarts from Happy Baking Days
- Valentines Chocolate Apples from Big Bear’s Wife
Valentine’s Day Drinks:
- Blood Orange Vodka Martinis from The Catholic Foodie
- Bloody Raspberry Cocktail from My Cute Bride
- Strawberry Gin Fizz from girlichef
Valentine’s Day Tablescape: A Romantic Table For Two Please fromAn Appealing Plan
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, February 10th to talk all about Valentine’s eats and treats! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our#SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos!
The Ninja Baker says
February 9, 2013 at 11:56 pmWonderful pick for a Valentine’s party or any soirée =) Goat cheese is somehow so elegant (and great for those who are dairy sensitive.) Thank you for sharing your recipe, Alice.
P.s. Appreciate the link to the cupcake flags, too. So cute!
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
February 10, 2013 at 1:48 amOh my goodness you paired some of my husband’s favourite things all on a crostini, he would love this for a Valentine’s treat.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
February 10, 2013 at 3:42 amI could live on stuff like crostinis, especially with goat cheese! I never paired them with olives and basil but it´s a perfect idea, and they look soooo good Alice, just the thing to open up your appetite. I think holidays when you have kids are much more enjoyable. Happy Valentine´s!
Hezzi-D says
February 10, 2013 at 5:27 amI’m all about any bread appetizers. Now you go and add goat cheese and olives? MMMMM.
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
February 10, 2013 at 7:13 amOlives and Goat Cheese are one of my favorite combinations! I could make a meal of this. Yum!
hipfoodiemom says
February 10, 2013 at 8:31 amShannon, me too! In fact, the last time we ate these, I just ate these for dinner!!! Practically ate the whole platter myself! 😛
krayl @ An Appealing Plan says
February 10, 2013 at 9:01 amSome of my favorite flavors all in one dish. Can’t wait to make it!
Amanda @ Marocmama says
February 10, 2013 at 9:04 amOlives and goat cheese – love those two combinations!! Great appetizer!
Conni @FoodieArmyWife says
February 10, 2013 at 9:20 amMmmmm…I LOVE olives and I love goat cheese. These look fantastic!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
February 10, 2013 at 10:45 amThis looks fantastic! Right up my alley – in fact I’d like to make them for a pot luck I’m going to tomorrow. Love!
Shelby | Diabetic Foodie says
February 10, 2013 at 1:42 pmSuch a great-looking appetizer. I’m such a sucker for goat cheese!
Soni says
February 10, 2013 at 2:48 pmA great idea for Valentine’s Day!Loved your preview pic on Facebook and finally got to see the recipe!Love the addition of Balsamic Vinegar with the Olives and Garlic not to mention Goat’s Cheese!!!Yumm…
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
February 10, 2013 at 2:51 pmMom would like this with black olives, nobody here likes the green ones though. Goat cheese is a definite plus
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
February 10, 2013 at 3:55 pmWhat a great appetizers for a special night. We always cook at home with our son too. We save date nights for other times when places aren’t so crazy!
Katie says
February 10, 2013 at 4:11 pmYou totally have my heart with this recipe. Funny enough; I am not a fan of back olives, but I LOVE green ones…this is perfect!
Susan says
February 10, 2013 at 5:35 pmMy olive and goat cheese loving husband would love these (and so would I!)
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
February 10, 2013 at 7:00 pmSome intense flavors up in here…I LOVE IT.
Stacy says
February 11, 2013 at 3:07 amWe are going to stay home and have a special meal too, and here’s the good thing: The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday so we can start off with cocktails. I am thinking a dirty martini would go perfectly with your gorgeous crostini! Can’t wait!
Katie says
February 11, 2013 at 7:49 amOh my these look so good! I absolutely LOVE olives so i know i would love this oh and my hubby too!
Heidi says
February 11, 2013 at 8:03 amThanks for the feature!! 🙂 and I need to channel my inner-cook! 🙂
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
February 11, 2013 at 12:38 pmYou have the sweetest family, Alice. Your girls are unbelievably adorable. I don’t blame you at all for missing out on date night for a year because you wanted to be at home with them. But you’re absolutely right – you and your hubby need to carve time out for yourselves to enjoy each other. These crostinis look amazing, as everything else you cook does. Happy Valentines Day!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says
February 11, 2013 at 12:49 pmThese look delicious!
Natalie says
February 11, 2013 at 5:49 pmOh my so delicious! Great flavours!!
Linda | The Urban Mrs says
February 11, 2013 at 5:57 pmThis definitely looks mouthwatering. I’m a carboholic and you have a lovely ingredients in this!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
February 11, 2013 at 6:19 pmGreat tip about the date nights. We will have to be sure to keep this in mind once we start having kids. I can see how things could easily get too busy to take time for our relationship. Thanks!
Bea says
February 11, 2013 at 9:13 pmI absolutely agree with you. Seeing Valentine’s Day and all holidays through the eyes of our kids is just so much fun. I actually just love that everything is pink…yes, I admit to my love for all things pink 🙂
These crostini looks fantastic 🙂 – Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family ~ Bea
hipfoodiemom says
February 14, 2013 at 7:17 amThank you, Bea! 🙂
Liz says
February 12, 2013 at 4:40 pmWhat a marvelous crostini topping! LOVE this combination…I hope to try it for company 🙂
Cindys Recipes says
February 13, 2013 at 6:00 pmgreat choices for a crustini! Love it.
Tara says
February 15, 2013 at 11:53 amThat is totally making me drool. How wonderful!!!
Anne @ Webicurean says
February 15, 2013 at 9:23 pmThis sounds delicious! (and your pix are mesmerizing!)
Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP) says
February 17, 2013 at 8:36 amSign me up! I love olives and goat cheese! So delicious together and on crusty bread….oh my! I’m droolling! LOL