Last updated on July 14th, 2016
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?
Get the recipes over on KitchenAid’s blog, The Kitchenthusiast!
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Alida @ Simply Delicious -
July 3, 2016 at 1:35 amThese look so delicious! I love your photos!
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 12:40 pmThank you so much Alida!
Katrina -
July 3, 2016 at 6:57 amMmmm mmmm really loving that combination of flavours!! So delicious!
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 12:46 pmThank you!
Christina -
July 4, 2016 at 5:12 amSuch an elegant and delicious way to prepare cheese toast bites…gorgeous and mouthwatering.
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 12:54 pmThank you! They’re elegant, but so so easy!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
July 5, 2016 at 4:48 pmI’m really loving the imagery here of you licking each and every one of these toasts. Baha!! Gorgeous as always Sarah!
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 12:55 pmYou know I would too, right? ;)
Jess @ Sweetest Menu -
July 5, 2016 at 11:56 pmAww wow! How cute are these berry toasts? And with cheese too? Amazing!
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 12:55 pmThanks Jess!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire -
July 6, 2016 at 9:40 amI 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 -
July 12, 2016 at 12:57 pmYes! I’m with you – I love how the blueberries are so vibrantly blue when left uncooked!
Ellie | from scratch mostly -
July 7, 2016 at 4:29 pmThis 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 -
July 12, 2016 at 1:00 pmRight? And they’re so grabbing. Like “Hi, nice to meet you, let me grab your nose!”
Traci | Vanilla And Bean -
July 8, 2016 at 1:30 pmSay 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 -
July 12, 2016 at 1:11 pmYeah – 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.
Megan {Country Cleaver} -
July 9, 2016 at 1:50 pmall these summer colors are just too beautiful!! Ohh baby play dates! Cute!
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 1:12 pmThanks! And what’s cuter than a baby, you ask? Two babies.
Alanna -
July 10, 2016 at 7:24 pmYummmmmm! Toast never looked lovelier. And now I’m dying to test out your toaster… Thursday toast party??
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 1:16 pmWait – YOU HAVEN’T USED IT YET?! Remind me to pull my chocolate chip bread out of the freezer…
Carla -
July 10, 2016 at 10:09 pmI 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 -
July 12, 2016 at 1:18 pmSure – you can be our live-in Nanny. It’ll cost $200/month in rent. NBD.
gerry @ foodness gracious -
July 10, 2016 at 10:27 pmTotally my kinda food! Love everything about this :)
Sarah Menanix -
July 12, 2016 at 1:18 pmThanks Gerry!