Prosciutto Minis

This yummy treat is a compilation of different appetizer recipes I found containing prosciutto. I made these cute little mini sandwiches last week for the first time. We loved them! Whereas most recipes called for watercress or some other herb, I opted for dill. The taste is extremely distinct and flavorful, and it complimented the other ingredients nicely. This appetizer is wonderful with a glass of pinot grigio.

Ingredients:
mini french bread crostinis
prosciutto (I bought a 4 oz. package), sliced in thin strips
Granny Smith apple, very thinly sliced
red onion, very thinly sliced
aged Gouda, cut into bite sized pieces
Dijon mustard
fresh dill sprigs
3 tblsp. cider vinegar
2 tblsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup water
cracked black pepper
extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Bring water, vinegar and brown sugar to boil. Add onions and remove from heat. Cover and set aside until it comes to room temperature.
Take one crostini and smear on a bit of Dijon mustard.
Build the minis in this order: apple slice, cheese, prosciutto, onion, dill
Drop a tiny bit of olive oil on each mini and sprinkle with cracked pepper.

Hint: For a nicer presentation, wrap the prosciutto around the mini.

Fried Goat Cheese (with orange blossom honey)

I tried this incredible appetizer one time and I was hooked. There is just something about fried goat cheese & honey that makes for a perfect palate explosion. It takes less than 5 minutes to make and pairs fabulously with a glass of Pino Grigio or Riesling.




Ingredients:
1 log of goat cheese, cut into 3/4 inch rounds
3 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
vegetable oil
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
orange blossom honey (you may be able to buy this at your local store, but it is easily found on the internet)

Directions:
Gather three separate bowls. Beat eggs in one, put flour in one, and put bread crumbs in one. Add enough oil to pan so that it stands about 1/2 inch and bring to medium heat on stove top. Take one cheese round and coat with flour. Then coat with egg, and finally coat thoroughly with bread crumbs. Place all coated cheese rounds in hot pan. Allow them to fry for approximately 30 seconds to one minute -- they will brown quickly! Carefully turn over with spatula and brown opposite side for additional 30 seconds. Remove from pan and place on napkin to soak up oil. Transfer to plate and drizzle with orange blossom honey.