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    Home » Appetizers

    Red Wine Cheddar Crostini & Endive Boats

    Published: Dec 4, 2021 · Modified: May 16, 2025 by Zimmy · This post may contain Amazon and other affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A marble tray of seven cheese crostinis, and endive boats with a block of cheese all topped with walnuts, honey, dried cherries and rosemary. Surrounded by glasses of pink Champagne, rosemary, honey and twinkle lights.

    Red Wine Cheddar Crostini & Endive Boats.

    These festive appetizers are simple, full of flavour, and perfect for holiday entertaining. They can be prepped and assembled before your guests arrive so you can enjoy the party too!

    The flavour of the Bothwell Red Wine Old Cheddar pairs perfectly with the tart cherries, earthy walnuts, sweet honey, and aromatic rosemary. Whether enjoyed with the crunch of a crispy crostini or the freshness of an endive leaf, these appetizers are the perfect start to an evening with friends and family.

    A block of cheese with a pile of walnuts, dried cherries and rosemary on top with a sparkly star in the backdrop.

    Made with 100% Canadian milk, and infused with red wine, I also like to include this cheese on a charcuterie board to highlight its eye-catching red veins. Add extra toppings to a whole piece of cheese and serve with toasted bread rounds, or apple slices for a tasty treat.

    An image of Red-Wine Cheddar Crostini & Endive Boats with a bottle of pink champagne, glasses, a bowl of dried cherries and walnuts.

    Head on over to bothwellcheese.com to enter their Holiday Contest in honour of their 85th year producing quality cheeses! (Contest ends December 24th, 2021)

    Looking to pick up some Bothwell cheese for your holiday entertaining, stop by their website for a $1.00 off digital coupon.

    I have partnered with Bothwell Cheese to develop this festive crostini recipe using their Red Wine Old Cheddar. Opinions in this post are my own.

    📖 Recipe

    A marble tray of seven cheese crostinis, and endive boats with a block of cheese all topped with walnuts, honey, dried cherries and rosemary. Surrounded by glasses of pink Champagne, rosemary, honey and twinkle lights.

    Red Wine Cheddar Crostini & Endive Boats

    These festive appetizers are simple, full of flavour, and perfect for holiday entertaining. They can be prepped and assembled before your guests arrive so you can enjoy the party too!
    The flavour of the Bothwell Red Wine Old Cheddar pairs perfectly with the tart cherries, earthy walnuts, sweet honey, and aromatic rosemary. Whether enjoyed with the crunch of a crispy crostini or the freshness of an endive leaf, these appetizers are the perfect start to an evening with friends and family.
    Made with 100% Canadian milk, and infused with red wine, I also like to include this cheese on a charcuterie board to highlight its eye-catching red veins. Add extra toppings to a whole piece of cheese and serve with toasted bread rounds, or apple slices for a tasty treat.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Inactive Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine North American
    Servings 24 -30 pieces

    Ingredients
      

    • 170 g 6 oz Bothwell Red Wine Old Cheddar Cheese, divided
    • ½ a baguette or ciabatta loaf cut into ½ inch round slices (12 or more slices)
    • 2 endives medium leaves, washed and dried (12 leaves)
    • ½ cup walnut pieces 2 oz
    • ¼ cup dried tart cherries 2 oz
    • 2 tablespoons liquid honey
    • 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves removed from the stem
    • 1 ¼ cup sugar divided

    Instructions
     

    Make ahead the candied rosemary (2 to 48 hours before using)

    • In a small saucepan, combine the rosemary with 1 cup of cold water.
    • Bring to a boil.
    • Once fully boiling, drain the rosemary through a mesh strainer. Repeat this process two more times.
    • Measure 1 cup of the sugar into the pan and add ½ cup of water, whisk over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
    • Once the sugar is dissolved add the rosemary leaves and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered, until the rosemary leaves are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain the rosemary leaves and let them cool (about 1 hour).
    • Add the remaining ¼ cup of sugar into a medium bowl and add the rosemary leaves. Toss to coat, separating the leaves as you toss. Once all the rosemary leaves are coated, remove the individual leaves from the sugar and shake off the excess sugar. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

    Prepare the Crostini & Endive Boats

    • Divide the cheese into 2 pieces (approximately 60/40). Grate the smaller piece into a small bowl. Slice the larger piece into the same number of slices as pieces of bread (12+), then cut each slice in half. Set aside.
    • Place the walnut pieces in a small skillet and roast over medium heat until lightly toasted and fragrant, 3 – 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.
    • Toast the bread rounds (in an oven, toaster, toaster oven or grill) until lightly browned.
    • Layer each toasted bread round with one slice (2 halves) of cheese. Sprinkle each endive boat with a spoonful of cheese. Then top each bread round and endive boat with toasted walnuts, dried cherries, a drizzle of honey and finish with a few candied rosemary leaves.
    • Serve and enjoy!
    Keyword cheddar, crostini, Endive Boats, festive appetizers, simple appetizers
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Hope you enjoy my Red Wine Cheddar Crostini & Endive Boats recipe! We would love to hear from you, please leave us your feedback in the comment box below.

    Have a delicious day! James (aka Zimmy) & Elaine


    A marble tray of cheese crostinis and endive boats with a block of cheese all topped with walnuts, honey, dried cherries and rosemary.

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    Hi, I’m James (aka Zimmy), a home chef who loves to grill year-round. In partnership with my wife Elaine, we work with and passionately promote the stories of local farmers, food producers/purveyors, as well as the products of companies who share our passion for quality, innovation and design.

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