Apple & Goat Cheese Crostini with Honeyed Walnuts and Crisp Bacon

(from Sugar Plum)

(I also made this for the housewarming party. Good response... yummy yummy!)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 T honey
3/4 tsp finely ground sea salt, divided use
3 T unsalted butter, divided use
1 1/2 cups finely chopped apple (Braeburn, Gala, Jonagold)
2 tsp finely chopped fresh sage
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp minced garlic
8 slices Whole Wheat with Honey Bread
6 oz goat cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup finely chopped cooked applewood smoked bacon

Add walnuts to a large nonstick skillet, over medium heat, and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden; stir in honey and 1/4 tsp salt, and cook and additional minute or until well coated with honey. Pour the walnuts onto a plate and set aside. Melt 1T butter in skillet; add apple and sage and cook 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender and golden. Stir in additional 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and garlic, and cook an additional minute; remove from heat and set aside. Preheat oven broiler. Spray a large sheet pan with cooking spray. Cut the bread slices in half diagonally and place on pan. Melt the additional 2T butter and brush evenly over bread. Broil 1 minute or until golden brown; flip and broil an additional minute or until golden. Remove pan from oven; evenly spread goat cheese over bread slices. Break up walnuts a bit and stir into apple mixture; evenly divide apple walnut mixture onto bread slices. Top with bacon and serve.