Appetizers
Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey Tartines
Tartine (pronounced “tar-teen”) is French for an open-face sandwich. It has given its name to an excellent craft bakery in San Francisco, not to mention a stylish new genre of appetizers served at trendy restaurants all over the world. Italians call it bruschetta (page 80), and it serves to remind us that the grill was the first toaster. And that grilled bread—especially grilled over a wood or wood-enhanced fire—has a superior texture and taste to what pops out of your toaster.
Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey Tartines Recipe
Tangy goat cheese and fragrant fresh thyme are timeless French flavors, here showcased on slices of grilled baguette. Tip: Use unwaxed dental floss to cut the cheese neatly into slices.
Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey Tartines
Recipe Notes
- Advance Prep: 5 minutes for the tartines, plus the time it takes to make the toppings
- Grill Time: Quick—1 to 2 minutes per side
- Yield: Makes 4 tartines and can be multiplied as desired
- Method: Direct grilling
- Equipment: Can be grilled over charcoal, wood, or gas. No special gear unless you’re grilling over a campfire (which I highly recommend), in which case, grill the bread slices in a grill basket.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil for oiling the grill grate
- 1 French baguette, cut in half lengthwise through the side, each half cut into 5-inch-long sections
- 1 log (8 ounces) of your favorite soft goat cheese, cut into ¼-inch-thick slices
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Best-quality extra virgin olive oil
- Honey (warm the jar in a bowl of hot water so it drizzles easily)
Recipe Steps
1: Set up your grill for direct grilling and heat to medium-high.
2: Brush or scrape the grill grate clean and oil it well. Arrange the bread slices on the grate running on the diagonal to the bars of the grate. Grill until darkly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning with tongs.
3: Transfer the toasted bread slices to a wire rack or clean dishtowel (this keeps the bottoms from getting soggy). Shingle the goat cheese slices on top and sprinkle with thyme leaves or tiny sprigs and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and honey and serve while the toasts are still warm.
Recipe Tips
INSIDER TIP: I like tartines made with natural sourdough bread (leavened with a starter, not granulated yeast). Bread baking is undergoing a renaissance these days, and you can find great craft bakeries in most American cities, such as Iggy’s in Cambridge, the Sullivan Street Bakery in New York, Zak the Baker in Miami, Ken’s Artisan Bakery in Portland, Oregon, and of course, Tartine in San Francisco. White, rye, whole wheat, and multigrain all make great tartines.
Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey Tartines: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tartine?
Why grill the bread for tartines?
What type of bread works best for tartines?
Can I make these tartines ahead of time?
What can I serve with goat cheese, thyme, and honey tartines?
Find This Recipe
And More
Project Fire
Cutting-Edge Techniques and Sizzling Recipes from the Caveman Porterhouse to Salt Slab Brownie S’Mores Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire. An …
Buy Now ‣
