Demo Chef with NYC’s Fresh Bodegas Initiative and making Crostini

Chili Spice Goat Cheese with Tomato Corn Salsa Crostini

This Saturday on July 30th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., I want to meet you. Let’s talk about your life on food. I’m serving sweet and savory crostini outside of Common Grounds Coffee Shop at 376 Tompkins Avenue (between Putnam & Jefferson Avenues), Brooklyn, New York. It’s my first personal event, and I’m super excited to introduce new and old fans to MyLifeRunsOnFood.com. 

Cinnamon Goat Cheese with Fresh Blueberries

It all started when NYC’s Fresh Bodegas Initiative asked MyLifeRunsOnFood.com to be a demo chef for their booth at TAMA’s Summerfest. The program promotes healthy food in neighborhoods dependent on bodegas for groceries. Of course, I said yes. I’ve previously written about the initiative.

Using fresh produce from NYC’s Farmer’s markets, I’m demonstrating two crostini recipes. The savory crostini is a Chili Spiced Goat Cheese with Tomato Corn Salsa. The sweet crostini is a Cinnamon Goat Cheese with Fresh Summer Fruit. They’re both refreshing and easy to serve.

Will I see you this Saturday? Besides working NYC’s Fresh Bodegas Initiative table, TAMA’s Summerfest is an event that’s worth a visit. I hope to see you soon.

Click here to download a pdf of this recipe.

Demonstrating from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Chili Spiced Goat Cheese with Tomato Corn Salsa Crostini

Chili Spice Goat Cheese with Tomato Corn Salsa Crostini

Ingredients
1 baguette; horizontally cut in 1/2 inch thick slices; lightly toasted
4 oz. plain goat cheese; room temperature
2 to 3 green scallions; minced
1/2 tsp. ground chili or chipotle
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. tomato paste
1/2 tsp. smoked Spanish paprika
2 small garlic clove; minced
Fresh black pepper and sea salt; to taste
2 jalapeno; seeds and rib removed; minced
3 ears of corn
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 small red onion; finely chopped
1 to 2 chopped tomatoes or 8 oz. quartered grape tomatoes
A drizzle of olive oil
A dash of red or white balsamic vinegar
The juice of 1 lime

Directions
1. To make the Chili Spiced Goat Cheese Spread: Whisk together goat cheese, scallions, chili/chipotle, cumin, tomato paste, 1/4 tsp. smoked Spanish paprika, 1 small garlic clove, fresh black pepper, sea salt, and 1 minced jalapeno. Set aside.
2. Using a knife, remove the corn over a bowl by carefully sliding a knife vertically down the cob. Repeat with the other 2 ears of corn. Discard corn cobs.
3. To make Corn Tomato Salsa: In the same bowl as the corn kernels, lightly toss together 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika, fresh black pepper, sea salt, 1 minced jalapeno, cilantro, red onion, tomatoes, a drizzle olive oil, a dash of balsamic vinegar and lime juice.
3. To Plate: Spread about 1 tablespoon of Chili Spiced Goat Cheese over one baguette slice. Spoon a couple tablespoons of Corn Tomato Salsa. Repeat with other baguette slices.
4. Enjoy.

Demonstrating from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Cinnamon Goat Cheese with Fresh Summer Fruit Crostini

Cinnamon Goat Cheese with Fresh Blueberries

Ingredients
1 baguette; horizontally cut in 1/2 inch thick slices; lightly toasted
4 oz. plain or honey goat cheese
1 to 2 tsps. honey (use if honey goat cheese is unavailable and reserve for drizzling over crostini)
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg or ground nutmeg
1 tbsp. cinnamon
A pinch of sea salt
Fresh summer fruit such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and more

Directions
1. To make the Cinnamon Goat Cheese: Whisk goat cheese, honey (if honey goat cheese is unavailable), nutmeg, cinnamon, and sea salt together. Set aside.
2. To Plate: Spread about 1 tablespoon of Cinnamon Goat Cheese over one baguette slice. Top with your choice of fresh fruit. Repeat with other baguette slices.
3. Enjoy.


Stay up-to-date with yummy, new food posts from My Life Runs On Food via email. Subscribe today!

[subscribe2]


6 thoughts on “Demo Chef with NYC’s Fresh Bodegas Initiative and making Crostini

  • August 2, 2011 at 9:54 am
    Permalink

    I would have never thought of a sweet take on crostini but this Cinnamon Goat Cheese with Fresh Summer Fruit Crostini is sooooo calling my name right now. Love it!

  • August 1, 2011 at 4:42 pm
    Permalink

    love all of these but I think the blueberry one is my favorite! I’m enjoying all kinds of fresh fruits in harvest right now that farmers’ markets are putting out. And congrats to you for doing a live demo! I hope your turn out was great! Surely this food was enticing enough to come out and bite!

  • July 30, 2011 at 5:27 pm
    Permalink

    Aww that’s so close to my house…would have love to have met you I went to work today unfortunately…hope you do something like this again…much love and hope it went well! I’m going to try to make the chili spiced goat cheese one

  • July 30, 2011 at 10:23 am
    Permalink

    @Susan Thanks for coming back! My site hiccuped yesterday.

  • July 29, 2011 at 10:56 pm
    Permalink

    Best of luck with your upcoming event. Love both recipes. The spiced goat cheese with the corn salsa is fantastic. Great flavor profile.

  • July 29, 2011 at 9:52 pm
    Permalink

    I’m so glad you reposted this – I was madly trying to find your blog earlier today, and I couldn’t access it! Wish I lived in Brooklyn to come to your event. Best of luck – congrats for following your passion! I’m making your asian coleslaw this weekend…adding a TBL of peanut butter to the dressing!

Comments are closed.