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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini + a Giveaway

    Published: Sep 9, 2013 · Modified: Jan 25, 2016 by Coleen · This post may contain affiliate links.

    If my first (food) love is chocolate, my second love is cheese. It started during my trip to France with my culinary school in 2007. We had a tour each morning, and a four- or five-course meal every night. In between our entree and dessert, we'd always have a cheese course. I tried to suggest structuring our family meals the same way once I got home, but it never caught on.

    Living in Philadelphia, I'm lucky to be able to visit DiBruno Brothers when I need cheese.

    DiBruno Brothers, Philadelphia, PA
    DiBruno Brothers' original 9th Street location

    I don't even remember the first time I visited DiBruno Brothers. The store was opened as a grocery store in 1939 by two Italian immigrant brothers, Danny and Joe DiBruno. As larger supermarket chains took business away from their store, they decided to focus on cheese.

    DiBruno Brothers, Philadelphia, PA

    It's been 75 years, and DiBruno Brothers has opened four other locations, and have over 10 times the employees they started with in 1939. But they are still as customer-oriented as they were in the beginning. Every employee I've ever encountered is knowledgeable and helpful. I went in to one location asking for cotija cheese. They didn't carry it, but after asking what I planned to do with it, they were able to suggest a cheese with a similar texture and flavor (ricotta salata). When I told them my favorite cheese was Brie, but wanted to try something new, they gave me a German soft cheese called Anton's Red Love. YUM.

    Why all the DiBruno Brothers love today? Well, because I have a copy of the new cookbook "DiBruno Brothers House of Cheese" by Tenaya Darlington, courtesy of Running Press, to give away.

    DiBruno Brothers House of Cheese by Tenaya Darlington

    Tenaya is a fellow DiBruno Brothers customer, and writes the blog Madame Fromage. She worked with the cheesemongers of DiBruno Brothers to put together a complete "how to" guide on cheese. The book contains ideas for cheese plates; beverage pairings (more than just wine); recipes (some that use cheese, and some for foods and drinks to serve with cheese); how to buy, serve and store cheese; and tasting notes on 170 different kinds of cheese. I love her descriptions of each cheese's personality: "feisty but comforting, like the perfect mother-in-law" (Ardrahan); "a sexy librarian's cheese – all horn rims and whispers" (Harbison). This book is educational, but truly entertaining as well.

    But wait! There's more!

    The winner will also receive a gift box courtesy of DiBruno Brothers! The gift box contains four different kinds of cheese spreads (Abbruzze; Roasted Garlic and Herb; Port Wine; and Provolone & Chianti), a package of DiBruno's own twice-baked olive oil crostini, and 2 spreading knives. These cheese spreads can be used in recipes, or eaten on their own.

    If you're not the lucky winner of this giveaway, head over to DiBruno Brothers' website, www.dibruno.com, and sign up for their mailing list -- they'll email you a coupon code for $15 off a $60 online purchase.

    DiBruno Brothers Cheese Spread Gift Basket

    Below is one of the fantastic recipes from the book. It's a simple yet delicious appetizer: toasted baguette slices are topped with a smear of goat cheese and topped with sliced dried figs, thyme, pepper and honey. Ms. Darlington suggests pairing these with Prosecco (yum), wheat beer (my favorite!) or Mojitos. Can I just take one of each?

    Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

    Below the recipe is the Rafflecopter giveaway widget. The only required entry is a comment on this blog post; all other entries are optional. The giveaway will remain open until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Saturday, September 14, 2013. Please see the sweepstakes rules at the bottom of this post. Good luck!

    Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

    Barely adapted from DiBruno Brothers House of Cheese cookbook

    Ingredients

    • 1 baguette, cut into ½-inch slices
    • 4 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 8 ounces goat cheese
    • Honey, for drizzling
    • 1 pound dried mission figs, sliced
    • Fresh thyme, for garnish
    • Freshly ground black pepper

    Directions

    1. Preheat your broiler on high.
    2. Place the baguette rounds on a baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to spread a little olive oil on each slice. Slide under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, just until golden brown around the edges.
    3. Remove the sheet from the oven, and use a pair of tongs to flip each baguette slice over. Brush the second side of each with olive oil, and place back under the broiler for another minute or two.
    4. Spread a little goat cheese on each crostini. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and black pepper, then arrange a few fig slices over top. Finally, drizzle with honey and serve.

    Number of servings (yield): 8

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Terms & Conditions
    * Odds of winning depend on total number of entries received
    * Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, September 14, 2013
    * Winner will be selected at random by the Rafflecopter widget
    * Winners will receive one (1) copy of "DiBruno Brothers House of Cheese" by Tenaya Darlington (valued at $24.99) and one (1) cheese spread gift basket (valued at $34.99)
    * Prize must be claimed within 7 days or it will be forfeited
    * Prize can only be shipped to a US address
    * Prizes will ship separately
    * Official giveaway rules can be found here

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily Regal says

      September 09, 2013 at 12:00 pm

      I am now having a cheese craving! I'm not too fancy, but I love me some port wine cheese spread with crackers! YUM!

      Reply
    2. Tara says

      September 09, 2013 at 1:18 pm

      My favorite cheese is also brie! I love it for Obatzda (German Brie and Beer Dip).

      Reply
    3. ~kim says

      September 09, 2013 at 2:51 pm

      Love my Jarlsberg... especially made into a spread with whole grain mustard & cream cheese!

      Reply
    4. Dawn says

      September 09, 2013 at 6:10 pm

      Oh my gosh, I don't think I can choose just one kind of cheese-I love them all!

      Reply
    5. Chrissy says

      September 09, 2013 at 7:27 pm

      Nothing beats cheddar in my book!

      Reply
    6. [email protected] says

      September 09, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      I seriously cannot pick just one. WAY too many to list!

      Reply
    7. Blondie says

      September 09, 2013 at 10:59 pm

      Ubriaco is my all-time favorite, but I can never find it near me! My FI had some overnighted to me for Valentine's Day one year--best present ever! Aged Gouda is a close second, for sure. Wish I lived closer to a specialty cheese shop!

      Reply
    8. The Home Cook says

      September 10, 2013 at 10:10 am

      I'm having a hard time picking just one - I love cheese! I'll say Brie, though 🙂

      Reply
    9. Joe says

      September 10, 2013 at 11:00 am

      You would think with my family buying so much cheese from DiBrunos every week, I would have more creative answer, but my fav right now is brie de meaux.

      Reply
    10. Kylee says

      September 10, 2013 at 12:25 pm

      OMG - cool giveaway!
      I love cheese. I live in fear of ever being diagnosed lactose intolerant.

      I'm a huge fan of stilton. And really AGED cheddar.
      Oh, and gruyere.
      And camembert.
      And let's not forget smoked cheddar
      Ooooh! Or a good and fresh mozzarella or bocconcini!

      Yeah, I'd die if it was decided I could not have cheese again.

      Reply
    11. Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers says

      September 10, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      I'm a huge fan of alpine style cheeses lately. Can't get enough of their springy fresh almost nutty flavor!!

      Reply
    12. Cindy Aiton says

      September 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      My absolute favorite is Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar. Thank you so much for offering such a delicious giveaway!

      Reply
    13. Janeane Tolomeo says

      September 11, 2013 at 9:00 am

      Loving the Chiriboga blue right now - i'd take that over a chocolate bar any day!

      Reply
    14. Abby says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:09 am

      My all time favorite is Campo de Montablan, which uses a mix of goat, cow, and sheep's milk. And I love di bruno bros. with a passion...and so does my seven year old!

      Reply
    15. Kaitlin says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:10 am

      I don't think I've ever met a cheese I don't like 🙂 But my go-to is usually brie!

      Reply
    16. Anthony says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:13 am

      Love DiBrunos port spread!

      Reply
    17. Paul Mullin says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:15 am

      Smoked gouda gives me liiiifeeeee!!!

      Reply
    18. Neva says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:17 am

      I absolutely love cheese, a sharp cheddar is my favorite but I am not one to discriminate! I have a wedding shower to go to and was trying to think of cool different ideas for a gift; I am planning a trip to DiBrunos this weekend to pick up this book. Now I'm really craving cheese!!!!

      Reply
    19. michael says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Parmigiano Reggiano - Vecchio... with a glass of homemade vino...there is nothing better in the world

      Reply
    20. Ben Potts says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:23 am

      BEAMSTER XO!!

      Reply
    21. Frank says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:28 am

      The best cheese is usually for me a tangy goat cheese or chevre. Having said that, my favorite cheese is Humbolt Fog from Cypress Grove.

      Reply
    22. keith Horr says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:34 am

      When you think of cheesteak you think Philly...when you think of cheese...you think DiBruno's.
      Never break tradition...

      Reply
    23. Judy says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:38 am

      Nothing beats Dibruno's Abbruzze spread! It reminds me of when I lived on 9th street in the Italian Market.

      Reply
    24. stephanie k says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:47 am

      I love manchego with quince paste!

      Reply
    25. SHMeyer says

      September 11, 2013 at 10:55 am

      Heaven is what this place is. Dangerous to have another one opening in walking distance from work.

      Reply
    26. Erin says

      September 11, 2013 at 11:05 am

      Was just in Dibruno's on 9th street the other day! Sampled some great Gouda and and my friend took home a double cream Gruyere. I love their spreads and pasta selection in there too, gotta try their Abruzze spread still!

      Reply
    27. Pam says

      September 11, 2013 at 11:10 am

      My favorite kind of cheese is goat cheese!

      Reply
    28. Rachel says

      September 11, 2013 at 11:57 am

      My favorite cheese by far is Midnight Moon Goat Gouda!! Ain't nothing else out there that beats it

      Reply
    29. Damaris says

      September 11, 2013 at 12:13 pm

      I love Gouda!

      Reply
    30. Adrienne says

      September 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      I love manchego, it's a new favorite. My past favorite is fontina!

      Reply
    31. Elana says

      September 11, 2013 at 12:28 pm

      LOOOVE CHEESE. Especially from DiBruno's. Dying to get a group together for an after-hours party.

      Reply
    32. Julie says

      September 11, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      Great prize!

      Reply
    33. Joia Mitchell says

      September 11, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      My favorite cheese is abruzzi!?

      Reply
    34. Joshua Linkous says

      September 11, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      My favorite cheese is provolone. There is enough variety depending on the make to have it as a table cheese to pair with various things or as a cheese which you can integrate into a dish.

      Reply
    35. Charlotte says

      September 11, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      My favorite cheese is provolone. Though it is definitely tied with 100 others (depending on the day you ask me), it is consistently very good and pairs well with most of my favorite meats (an important criteria).

      Reply
    36. Natasha says

      September 12, 2013 at 9:56 pm

      I love all cheese! My favorite would probably be Swiss!

      Reply
    37. Erika W. says

      September 12, 2013 at 10:02 pm

      I like goat cheese and sharp cheddar.

      Reply
    38. Denise Konkel says

      September 12, 2013 at 10:10 pm

      brie:)

      Reply
    39. jackie says

      September 13, 2013 at 12:07 pm

      newly in love with montamore

      Reply
    40. Sarah says

      September 14, 2013 at 11:11 am

      Feta! So versatile and tangy!

      Reply
    41. Amy says

      September 14, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      I loved visiting DiBruno Brothers on our trip to Philly! We brought home a few cheeses and sausages to enjoy. I don't think I could ever pick a favorite cheese though - way too many favorites!

      Reply

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