Nice little app for your guest.
Don’t you just love using apples in recipes this time of the year? Fall weather is just begging for something homemade from apples whether it is something as simple as sautéed apples, an apple cake, apples cooked with your pork roast or as in this recipe a delicious appetizer made with pork and apple as two of the main ingredients.
Once I went on a field trip with one of my kids when we lived in Chicago (had to be one of the boys because my daughter was only about 3) and we went to an apple orchard somewhere in the north Chicago area. All I remember about that trip was some kid getting hit on the head with a falling apple and we got to see cider/juice being made in the mill at the orchard.
My favorite apple use to be Jazz but I don’t see those in the market right now. I like just about any apple that is juicy and tart and especially crisp. Delicious apple has to be my least favorite of all apples; just don’t see how a mealy soft apple appeals to anyone.
Did you know that apple’s first and foremost use was for making cider. Yum, hot cider with some rum on a cold night is delicious. Another fact I learned in my internet search (and what would we ever do without the internet) is that the apple is a member of the rose family. So, I’m putting my apples to work making this apple appetizer which I will do again and again this fall.
If you don’t have pork belly available you could also use a piece of fried pork steak (that would be delicious) or some thick bacon. Just double up on the bacon if you use that in place of the pork belly.
Hope you will give this recipe a trip and if you do and you like it/or not please leave a comment in the comment section below.
BLAST FROM THE PAST:
I love having this pork belly from Trader Joe’s on hand for last minute appetizers or garnish.
Fry the pieces of pork until golden brown and crisp.
This is what the apples will look like after sauteed for a few minutes in a skillet with the olive oil/butter.
Beat the cream cheese with the goat cheese and add in some chopped fresh rosemary.
To build your delicious bite of appetizer, spread the toasted baguette with some of the cheese mixture, top with a couple of baby arugula leaves, then peach.
Then top with your fried pork and a drizzle of the maple/balsamic glaze.
Bon Appetit!
Pork Belly, Apple and Maple Glaze Crostini
Ingredients
- 4 oz. goat cheese
- 2-3 oz. cream cheese optional
- 1 French baguette sliced thin
- 2-3 tart crisp apples, sliced thin
- Baby Arugula
- 1 1/2 lbs. Cooked pork belly cut in 1" rectangles* 1/4" -1/2" thick
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
- Maple glaze:
- 4 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
Instructions
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Pork belly: You can either braise your own pork belly or you can buy it already prepared if you have a Trader Joe's close to you. If you don't want to do either use a pork steak, cut into small pieces, toss with some self rising flour and fry until crisp. This will be just as delicious. Fry the pork belly (pork steak, bacon or whatever you decide to use) and set aside.
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Make the glaze by mixing the 4 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and the maple syrup and heat on medium until it starts to thicken. This will take 4-5 minutes. Set aside to drizzle on assembled appetizer.
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Cut the French baguette into thin slices. Drizzle slices with a little olive oil and bake in 350° oven until lightly browned.
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Beat the goat cheese and cream cheese with the chopped rosemary. If you want more of a goat cheese flavor, omit the cream cheese.
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Apples: These can be done early in the day if you want to be a little ahead on this recipe. Put the sliced apples, not overlapping, in a hot skillet with about 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter. Brown the apples quickly on both sides on medium-high heat. You still want a little crunch to the apple so do not overcook; just get a little color on them before removing from skillet and setting aside.
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To assemble take the toasted baguette and spread with a little of the goat cheese mixture. Arrange two of the baby arugula leaves one facing off to one side and the other the the opposite side. Top with apple slice then pork belly and then drizzle with a little of the maple glaze.
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Arrange on a platter and serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
The amount of pork belly will depend on how many of these little bites you want to do. That 5-6 oz. package of pork belly from Trader Joes probably made about 40 appetizers. So, if you are using pork steaks 2-3 nice size steaks will be more than enough.
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