Warm Goat Cheese and Marinara Dip

Warmth Worth Gathering Around

There are dishes that ask nothing of the table except that everyone lean in a little closer. This is one of them. Warm goat cheese softened into marinara is the kind of thing that slows a room down — unhurried, generous, meant to be shared without ceremony. It belongs to the category of food that feels almost accidental in its comfort, the sort of thing you pull together before guests arrive and suddenly can't stop reaching for yourself. A quiet centerpiece that needs no introduction.

Ingredients

• 1 French baguette
• 3 tablespoons Alessi Garlic Puree
• 3/4 cups Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 jar Alessi Smooth Marinara, divided
• 8 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Slice baguette into 1/2 inch slices.
3. In a small bowl combine garlic puree and olive oil.
4. Spread over baguette slices and place on a baking sheet.
5. Pour half of the marinara sauce into a separate baking dish.
6. Crumble half of the goat cheese into sauce and cover with remaining marinara.
7. Crumble remaining goat cheese on top.
8. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes.
9. Remove from oven.
10. Place baguettes in the oven on broil until bread is crispy.
11. Serve goat cheese dip with a toasted garlic baguette.