Cb&J: Cashew Butter, Fig Jam And Cheese Crostini

Like a PB&J on steroids!

Posted by Jada C.

About

When it comes to odd flavor combinations, this is nothing short of a revelation. Holding a tray of these out to my fellow party-goers on Christmas Eve, reactions ranged from “what the heck is cashew butter?” to “Blech. Figs. I hate figs.” Others just stared, smiling and nodding unconvincingly as I promised that, as weird as it sounded, these would be the best things to ever cross their taste buds.

I set the tray down next to the usual suspects—Spinach dip, shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers—sure these melty beauties would go untouched. Fortunately, I was wrong.

“What are these?”

(right?)

“Is that BACON I taste??”

(no bacon, just cheese, fig and cashew AWESOMENESS)

“Are they all gone?!?”

(no, we hoarded a stash in the basement by the bar)

I have to admit, I can’t take creative credit for this recipe. The flavor combo is courtesy of Hopleaf in Andersonville.

CB&J crostini

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You Will Need (5 things)

  • 1 jar Cashew Butter (I made my own by blending one lb. of salted cashews on high until creamy)
  • 1 jar fig Jam or “fig butter” (I got the Trader Joe’s Fig Butter and it was perfect)
  • 8 oz Cheese (either raclette, morbier, comte or mild gouda—any other quality swiss-type cheese would probably be good too)
  • 1 sourdough Baguette
  • 3 tbsp -4 tablespoons Butter , melted

Steps (4 steps, 20 minutes)

  1. 1

    Slice sourdough baguette into crostini-sized slices. Brush generously with melted butter. Toast under broiler until they begin to turn golden—careful, it only takes a couple minutes. Remove and allow to cool enough to spread ingredients on toasts.

  2. 2

    Start with a layer of cashew butter, then fig jam, then a small slice of cheese.

  3. 3

    Toast under the broiler again for a few minutes, until cheese is nice and melty.

  4. 4

    Serve hot. Next time, try this combo as a grilled cheese as Hopleaf does. Or on a cracker! Or as a flatbread!! The possibilities are endless.