Warm Goat Cheese Appetizer

 Last night we hosted the first outdoor dinner party of the fall season. Cool, candlelit and beautiful, it was quite relaxing to spend Sunday evening with good friends. We served one of our favorite easy appetizers and tried a new twist--pomegranate seeds which are extra sweet and juicy when they are warm. Recipe to follow.

Warm Goat Cheese appetizer with Pistachios and Pomegranate Seeds

Ingredients:
1 11 oz tube of plain goat cheese, softened.
1/4-1/2 c. cream, half and half, or milk
1 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. chopped roasted pistachios, shells and skins removed and chopped medium fine
2 tbsp ripe pomegranate seeds

Blend goat cheese and milk or cream  with a fork, an electric mixer or an immersion blender. Smooth the mixture into a small, shallow baking dish. I use a Mexican "pewter" dish (available at Zocalo) because it holds the heat, keeping the appetizer warm after baking. Heat in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Do not allow the cheese to bubble over or brown. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with pistachios and pomegranate seeds and drizzle with the honey. Serve with baguette, crackers and sliced apples and be sure to include a small knife for spreading. Enjoy!