Ingredients:

  • 8 oz goat cheese log, softened to room temperature
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 cup spring mix, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/8 tsp flaky sea salt
  • 24 Triscuit Crackers
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries, halved lengthwise
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Instructions:

  1. Soften the cheese. Leave your goat cheese on the counter for at least 30 minutes. until it gives easily when pressed with a finger.
  2. Whip the base. Combine goat cheese, heavy cream, honey, and pepper in your bowl. Beat on medium high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy like a cloud. Note: Don't overbeat or the cream might turn to butter.
  3. Prep the greens. Roughly chop the spring mix so no large leaves are hanging off the cracker edges.
  4. Whisk the dressing. Mix olive oil and balsamic glaze in your small bowl until the oil is no longer visible.
  5. Coat the greens. Gently toss the chopped mix in the dressing. Note: Do this right before assembly to avoid wilting.
  6. Layout the crackers. Place 24 crackers on a platter with about a half inch of space between them.
  7. Apply the cheese. Pipe or dollop 1 tablespoon of whipped cheese onto each cracker. until the cracker is mostly covered but the edges show.
  8. Add the greens. Place a small pinch of the dressed greens directly on top of the cheese.
  9. Garnish with fruit. Press two blueberry halves (cut side down) into the greens. until they feel secure and won't roll.
  10. Final flourish. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and a final crack of black pepper. | Original Ingredient | Substitute | Why It Works | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Goat Cheese (8 oz) | Feta (8 oz, blended) | Similar saltiness. Note: Needs more cream to become spreadable. | | Balsamic Glaze (1 tbsp) | Honey & Lemon Juice | Provides acidity and sweetness without the dark color. | | Blueberries (1/2 cup) | Dried Cranberries | Offers a chewy sweetness. Note: Less refreshing than fresh fruit. | Choosing the right cracker is honestly half the battle. I've tried this with thinner water crackers, and they simply don't have the backbone to support the whipped cheese and the damp greens. The Triscuit Cracker Topped with Balsamic Mixed needs that density to provide the necessary crunch.