On Zo's first playdate with the neighbor baby, he pulled her hair so hard she cried. I told her it means he likes her (or else is jealous of her 3-month-old floppy mop of locks). I think she understood because on their next playdate, she stuck his hand in her mouth. Assertive and knows what she wants. Licking something to claim it as your own is a valuable life skill. Take these berry, herb, and cheese toast bites, for example. I licked them all. They're mine.
We're going to fancy up your 4th of July party with fruit, herb, & cheese pairings on top of toast plates for a quick but festive party app. Mostly I just wanted an excuse to turn an entire loaf of Bread SRSLY's sourdough into toast using my new KitchenAid Pro Line Series Automatic Toaster - it's like an exclusive penthouse-access elevator for toast. The slot senses when you drop bread in and automatically lowers to toast. A light ding lets you know the toast elevator is rising with perfectly golden toast. A high-end toast tanning bed with a button that reads - I kid you not - "A little longer." If the toast is not removed after 45 seconds, the lift lowers to keep it warm. TOAST SNOOZE BUTTON.
My red, white, and blue toasts are just two topping mash-ups - basil / blueberry / honeyed ricotta & rosemary / strawberry / brie - but toast knows no bounds. Go wild with your own berry / herb / cheese combos! For inspiration, try bringing the herbs to the fruit for a sniff pairing test at the market (totally normal, guys).
Here I've topped a mild honeyed ricotta with blueberries, whose subtle bright sweetness might get overpowered by a more assertive cheese. And a few sprigs of purple 'wild magic' basil from my neighbor's Zo's boyfriend's garden add a touch of spicy sweet freshness.
Next, summer's sweetest candy - s-s-s-s-strawberry - gets cozy with winter's woody rosemary in this luscious piney compote that's spooned atop a creamy buttery brie. Strawberries and cream, anyone?
Recipe
Berry, Herb, & Cheese Toast Bites – Two Ways
possibilities are endless! These toasts are festive, impressive enough to
bring to a 4th of July BBQ or potluck, and best of all, come
together lickety-split.
Ingredients
- ½ cup blueberries
- 1 tablespoon honey, divided
- ¼ cup + 2 teaspoons fresh ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 slices thick bread, toasted and cut diagonally in half
- 10 large basil leaves , ripped into pieces or 36 small leaves
- 1½ cups strawberries, hulled and cut in half or thirds
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced rosemary, from 1-2 sprigs
- Zest of half a lemon
- 6 slices of thick bread, toasted and cut diagonally in half
- 4 ounces triple cream brie, sliced into 1-inch long and ⅛-inch thick pieces
INSTRUCTIONS
Basil Blueberry Ricotta Toast
- Toss the blueberries in ½ teaspoon of honey and set aside.
- Prepare the cheese. Mix the ricotta cheese, mascarpone, 1 teaspoon of honey, and salt in a small bowl until well combined.
- Spread the cheese over the toast triangles.
- Place 3 small basil leaves or pieces on top of the cheese and top with blueberries.
Drizzle the remaining honey over the top of the toast and serve.
Rosemary Strawberry Brie Toast
- Add the strawberries, water, sugar, minced rosemary, and lemon zest
to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves, about 1-2
minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the strawberries break
down and the compote thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. - Place one piece of brie on each toast triangle and spoon strawberry
compote over the top. Serve immediately.
gerry @ foodness gracious -
Totally my kinda food! Love everything about this :)
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks Gerry!
Carla -
I want to live in your house with this toaster and these berries and that baby of yours. You need a room for rent!
Sarah Menanix -
Sure - you can be our live-in Nanny. It'll cost $200/month in rent. NBD.
Alanna -
Yummmmmm! Toast never looked lovelier. And now I'm dying to test out your toaster... Thursday toast party??
Sarah Menanix -
Wait - YOU HAVEN'T USED IT YET?! Remind me to pull my chocolate chip bread out of the freezer...
Megan {Country Cleaver} -
all these summer colors are just too beautiful!! Ohh baby play dates! Cute!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks! And what's cuter than a baby, you ask? Two babies.
Traci | Vanilla And Bean -
Say whaaaa? That auto toaster? I'd be toasting everything... and I'm all over the light ding... one must not be startled in the morning. And I say that with admiration for the developers of this toaster. My toaster oven has the LOUDEST five dings ever! It would wake up sleeping beauty in an instant! I gotta check out this new toaster. And these sweet little toasts.. Just delicious, Sarah and so festive!
Sarah Menanix -
Yeah - I keep pulling out slices to show friends the new toaster elevator. It's amazing. I'm shocked that your toaster dings at all! I've never had a toaster than dinged before...but then again, mine have all been about $10 from Target. Hehe.
Ellie | from scratch mostly -
This looks scrumptious, Sarah!!!!! So simple and perfect. And I can always rely on you for a good goofy chuckle. I would've loved to see Zo eating his hand! Babies are so cute and funny doing that kind of stuff. Why does it look so wrong when we re-enact those very actions, though?! ;P
Sarah Menanix -
Right? And they're so grabbing. Like "Hi, nice to meet you, let me grab your nose!"
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire -
I love how patriotic these are while still remaining natural. I don't really like using food coloring if I can help it and having deliciously simple and wholesome bites like these are the perfect way to be both patriotic and healthier!
Sarah Menanix -
Yes! I'm with you - I love how the blueberries are so vibrantly blue when left uncooked!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu -
Aww wow! How cute are these berry toasts? And with cheese too? Amazing!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks Jess!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
I'm really loving the imagery here of you licking each and every one of these toasts. Baha!! Gorgeous as always Sarah!
Sarah Menanix -
You know I would too, right? ;)
Christina -
Such an elegant and delicious way to prepare cheese toast bites…gorgeous and mouthwatering.
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you! They're elegant, but so so easy!
Katrina -
Mmmm mmmm really loving that combination of flavours!! So delicious!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you!
Alida @ Simply Delicious -
These look so delicious! I love your photos!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much Alida!