Mandarin Bruschetta with Goat Cheese

OLIVE the other appetizers you could try tonight may not be as mouth-watering as these little CUTIES. CRUST me, there is nothing like a good bruschetta. Give it a GOAT and let me know how you like it...

Photo credit: Kathy Casey

The flavors of mandarin, calamata olives and fresh basil along with the creaminess of goat cheese all play off each other nicely in this easy entertaining appetizer.

Makes 20 pieces

1 artisanal baguette
extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
kosher salt as needed
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4 Cuties or mandarin oranges
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped vine-ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp. minced red onion
1 1/2 tsp. finely minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped pitted calamata olives
pinch of red pepper flakes
4 oz. chèvre-style fresh goat cheese (if you aren't a goat cheese fan, try cream cheese)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut baguette into 1/4-inch slices—you want about 20 nice-sized pieces. Lay out on a baking sheet. Lightly brush or drizzle bread with olive oil then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Bake for about 5–7 minutes, or until toasty. Let crostini cool.

Meanwhile, peel Cuties and dice 1/4 to 1/3-inch. In a medium bowl, toss Cuties with 2 tablespoons olive oil, tomatoes, basil, onion, garlic, olives, and pepper flakes. Set aside.

To serve: Smear each piece of crostini with a heaping teaspoon of goat cheese. Place on a platter and immediately divide the Cuties mixture between the crostini (drain off any excess juice).

Note: Top crostini right before serving so they do not get soft.


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This recipe was made by Kathy Casey at the 2010 BlogHer Food Conference... passed along to me from my brother Justin Hackworth who photographed the event.

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Keep swimming...and blessings for a joyful and prosperous 2011!
Ms. Fish

Fish Finds

I'm not sure I would ever wear this necklace. Not because I don't like it, but because I rarely wear anything around my neck except hair and hickies. BUT, I think it would look soooo sexy and GREAT on somebody else's neck. It's totally fun, bold, chunky and unique.

 Speaking of sexy, I think my little sis should also buy this. Can you say turn heads?

This would be fun to own. Though I'm not yet entirely sure why.....

Anyone going to order this book? Freshly written, you can pre-order it to arrive just in time for Valentine's Day.

Dill pickle flavored products make frequent guest appearances on this blog. I've raved about dill pickle cashews. Now I finally found me some dill pickle potato chips that are 67.9 times better than Lay's. The pickle flavoring is true and subtle. In fact, I'm crunching on one right now in ultimate multitasking style: chewing and typing and moaning.

I found the chips at Wal-Mart. I hate Wal-Mart, and yet I continue to find good stuff there, dang it!
Like these babies below, which I like even more than the chips. My next mission, should I choose to accept it (and I do) is to duplicate these in my own kitchen. I can't afford to keep feeding my addiction.

This Christmas CD is so fun! Especially tracks 1 and 2. We've already worn it out at our Holiday house.

I bought this orange oil at Sur La Table and loooooooove it. That's 8 o's in love! That's some serious lovin'. This oil makes chocolate chip cookies sing with sunshine. It's the secret ingredient in the Bear Country Cookies at the Gateway mall in SLC.

Sometimes, I take the oil out of the cupboard and open it even if I'm not cooking. I just love to smell it. My name is Ms. Fish and I'm addicted to sniffing orange oil. I need help.

Found an excellent recipe for Cinnamon-Sugared Almonds. Daisy made them at Thanksgiving and my mouth hasn't quit watering for more.

Photo Credit: Sugarlaws

With kids in college and friends getting married and being small on space myself, I am digging these stacking kitchen tools.

These boots are as scrumptious as black licorice.

And for the grand finale, feast your eyes on this lovely holiday skirt. Do you ever see things with bling and pockets on the same bolt of fabric? Hardly. Finally a place to put your lip gloss without having to take a purse. That's a deal cincher.

Thanks for coming along on this tour of things I love right now. Happy holiday shopping and eating!


Keep swimming. And keep enjoying lovely things.
Ms. Fish