FETA CROSTINI WITH TOMATO, BACON AND APPLE JAM

Here’s a different appetizer, one that’s bound to please all your guests.  The jam is more like a chutney with savory, sweet and sour tastes.  Creamy feta is the perfect  complement to this condiment, but be sure you use a good-quality feta, not the kind you buy in the Kraft cheese section of your store.  Look near the gourmet cheeses to find a top-quality creamy, delicious feta. 

Admittedly, this recipe takes a little work on your part.  You do have to cook the jam.  But it’s so worth it to have an appetizer with such unique flavors.  You can find the original recipe on the Better Homes & Gardens website.  It makes about 30 crostini.  If you don’t need that many, try my adapted half version, which yields about 15 crostini. 

Feta Crostini with Tomato, Bacon, and Apple Jam Adapted from bhg.com Rating:  8.5 out of 10 PRINTABLE PAGE

INGREDIENTS: 4 slices of applewood-smoked uncured bacon, diced 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 medium apple, pared, cored, diced 1/2 small onion, peeled, diced 1-1/2 Tbsp. cider vinegar 3/4 tsp. coarse sea salt or kosher salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 1/2 loaf baguette-style French bread,  sliced 1/2” thick and toasted* (about 15 slices) 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled Snipped fresh chives In a small, heavy skillet, cook the bacon until it is just browned, about 5 minutes over medium heat.  Transfer to paper towels to drain.  In a medium saucepan, combine drained tomatoes, sugar, apple, onion, vinegar, salt, pepper and bacon.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring as needed, for about 12 minutes, or till most of liquid is reduced and apples are tender.  Remove pan from heat; let sit for 5 minutes.  (Or refrigerate till needed and rewarm if you are making this recipe in stages.) Arrange baguette slices on a serving platter.  Top with a dollop of warm jam, some feta and a sprinkle of chives.  (You’ll note that I forgot the chives, though I had them chopped.)  Yield:  about 15 crostini *To toast baguette slices, just arrange them on a baking sheet and bake about 3-4 minutes each side at 400F till crispy and just starting to brown.