Pan-fried Scandinavian Cheese on Crostini with Sour Cherry Jam

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

18 thin baguette slices
3 tablespoons/45 ml olive oil
One 8-ounce/225-g piece plain or jalapeno Havarti cheese
All purpose flour, for dredging
1/2 cup/150 g sour cherry jam

Method:

To prepare the crostini:

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Arrange the bread slices on a heavy large baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tablespoon/15 ml of oil over the bread slices. Bake for 15 minutes or until the crostini are pale golden and crisp.

Meanwhile, to prepare the cheese:

Cut the piece of cheese into three 4x2x1/2-inch/10x5x1.5-cm rectangular slices. Place the cheese slices in a single layer on a plate and freeze for 1 hour or until they are very cold and firm. Rinse the cheese slices quickly under cold water (do not pat dry). Immediately dredge each slice in the flour to coat completely.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons/30 ml of oil in a heavy medium nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat until it is very hot.  Add the cheese and cook for 1 minute per side or just until the cheese is golden brown on the outside and warm inside. Transfer the cheese to a cutting board and cut each piece into 6 strips.

To assemble and serve:

Place 1 strip of warm cheese atop each crostini. Spoon the jam atop the cheese. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.