Cherry Goat Cheese Crostini with Thyme and Almonds Recipe

Cherry Goat Cheese Crostini with Thyme and Almonds is the elegant and simple dish that'll be the highlight of any summer party.

Summer soirées. They’re everywhere.

I see all those beautiful platters, appetizers and drinks popping up left and right and I’m just here thinking — but I don’t even have any friends!

Kidding. We LOVE having people over for a few nibbles.

You know, occasionally. The handful of people who aren’t sick of us talking about our kid yet.

And when we do, we like to pull all the easy plugs. Easy, but misleadingly impressive.

Because how are you going to relax during your grab-a-bite fancy soirée if you’ve been so stressed with all the cooking beforehand, and just want to pass out in front of the TV?

Not at all, that’s how.

I used to be so terribly stressed whenever I invited people over for food.

In between all the coordinated decor, elaborate recipes and, you know, having to look presentable — it was usually a well-planned mental disaster.

Oh, the stress. The “Am I going to open the door in my yoga pants?” moments.

The “Why didn’t I just settle for chips and salsa?” regrets.

And the worst part — “How did all the food vanish within 5 minutes?!”

No, friends. Vow right here and right now to never stress yourself with dinner parties or cocktail hours again.

Having a toddler helps with sticking to said vow, but it’s certainly not required.

Now I’m not saying to never try time-consuming recipes again. I’m just saying — tone it down.

Instead of the all-out seven course meal, try three courses with one complicated recipe. The homemade agnolotti are just as tasty when they’re followed by a simple plate of fresh fruit and a decent store-bought ice cream.

And nobody is going to complain about simple crostini if they’re stunning enough — and absolutely tasty.

Speaking of simple crostini, the recipe I’m sharing today really couldn’t be any less fussy if I tried.

Let me walk you through the humorously easy steps it takes to create the perfect Cherry Goat Cheese Crostini with Thyme and Almonds:

• Pit some cherries. That’s the hardest part of the recipe.
• Marinate said cherries. Which is a matter of 5 minutes prep, then let sit for 1 to 24 hours. Make-ahead magic right there.
• Toast baguette slices. Easy-peasy. If you can make toast without burning it that is.
• Pile on the good stuff. A smear of fresh goat cheese, a few marinated cherries, thyme and chopped almonds - done.
• Impress beyond measure. That’s all I have to say here.

Now the really beautiful thing about this recipe is that you don’t have to wait for company to make them.

You don’t even have to wait for appetizer time, happy hour on any other kind of strange thing that might keep you from biting into some pure joy.

This recipe is so scale-able, I’ve been known to make it for just myself before.

And whenever we don’t feel like cooking on hot summer evenings, we throw together a big salad and enjoy these Cherry Goat Cheese Crostini alongside for dinner.

Trust me, this is a recipe you want to save for your next summer party.

Or just, you know, the next time you want to feel exquisite while stuffing your face uncontrollably.

Are you tired of the dinner routine?

Stuck in a rut or looking for fun new recipes to try?

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