Here is something I discovered about myself when putting together this post: Apparently I really don’t like sandwiches.
When I went to file this recipe under “Sandwiches,” I discovered that there was no such category on this site. Not only have I not posted a single sandwich recipe over the past year, but this isn’t even really a sandwich, either. It’s a tartine, toast, open-faced sandwich – whatever you’d like to call it, I’m pretty sure no man would be willing to say this is a sandwich. Hmph.
A blog with no sandwiches is a problem. One that I will remedy in the coming months.
It’s not that I don’t like sandwiches; I guess I just don’t eat them often enough to consider making one for the blog. In my defense, it’s hard to make good use of a loaf of bread between two people before it starts to get stale. Excuses, excuses. But even I must admit that sometimes, especially on a chilly fall day, a crusty hunk of sourdough bread smothered in goat cheese is just what the doctor ordered.
Yum.
Don’t be deceived by the fancy “tartine” name – these are simple toasts. Just bread, cheese, pears, and balsamic. Because sometimes simple things are best. Especially when simple things involve goat cheese. <– Fact.
The pears around here have been delicious lately – I ate the most amazingly juicy one for a snack yesterday. I hope it’s the same where you are! The downside with pears is that I can never seem to get them ripe at the grocery store; I have to leave them sitting around on the counter for at least a few days before they’re ready to use. Definitely make sure your pears are plenty ripe before using them on these tartines. Even if that means you need to wait a few days to make them!
I enjoyed these toasts for lunch after a long run. They would also make a great appetizer – just use a baguette instead of larger slices of bread. And no need to use sourdough if it’s not your thing; these would also be great with multigrain bread or any other type you prefer.
As long as you smother it in goat cheese, I’m happy!
- 2 large or 4 small slices sourdough bread
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 2 small pears, thinly sliced (Bartlett and Bosc both work)
- balsamic reduction or balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
- Preheat your oven's broiler and position a rack close to the top of your oven. Whether you use the low or high setting will depend on your broiler; I started off with low.
- Soften the goat cheese by microwaving for 10-15 seconds. Spread on bread and top with slices of pear.
- Place directly on top oven rack. If your pears are especially juicy, you may want to position a baking sheet on a lower rack to catch any drips. Broil for 3-5 minutes, until bread is toasted and pears are juicy. You can adjust the broiler setting at any time - I did 3 minutes on low broil and then 2 minutes on high.
- Remove toasts from oven and drizzle with balsamic. Enjoy hot!
I’m not huge on sandwiches either, but I could really go for a pear and goat cheese tartine! Love the combination of flavors and the simplicity!
haha! I need to get more sandwiches on my blog too. These look absolutely delicious. We live next to a pear orchard and I have been eating pears like it’s my job! These look delicious.
I don’t think I have a sandwich section on my blog either. Hmph. ;)
We go through 2 loaves a bread a week in my house! Brandon just eats plain pieces of bread with dinner. Excessive consumption? Yes.
I bet you could fit these in the appetizer section. They would pair perfectly with a nice glass of wine. Yum!
Yum these look delicious!! I love goats cheese with anything, lets be honest but love the idea of having it with pear like that :)
Thanks Jan :)
Simple things are most definitely the best sometimes – and these look heavenly! Love the pair and cheese combo – topping it with balsamic is BRILLIANT!