Strawberry Chambord Whipped Cheese Toasts
Strawberry Chambord Whipped Cheese Toasts feature toasted baguette slices topped with a creamy blend of soft cream cheese and blue or goat cheese. The toasts are crowned with basil leaves and strawberries marinated in a reduced balsamic vinegar and raspberry liqueur syrup. The syrup adds concentrated sweet-tart notes that complement the berries and cheese, while the fresh basil provides an herbaceous contrast. The toasts are finished with cracked black pepper and optional sea salt for a balanced flavor ideal for an appetizer or elegant snack.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup Chambord raspberry liqueur
- 2 cups strawberries chopped into 1 inch pieces
- sea salt coarse
- 1 loaf baguette sliced into 1 inch pieces, French
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 cup blue cheese or soft goat cheese
- 1/3 cup cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- sea salt optional, Maldon; for serving
Instructions
- Combine the vinegar and Chambord into a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until mixture thickens, reduces by half and coats the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool.
- Once the syrup is cool, toss with the berry pieces along with 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Strain out excess liquid, leaving about 1/4 cup of the liquid in the bowl.
- Meanwhile, arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place in the oven under the broiler and toast until golden. Watch carefully as they burn easily!
- Combine the cream cheese with the blue cheese (or goat cheese) along with 1/2 teaspoon of coarse sea salt (if using kosher salt instead reduce to 1/4 teaspoon). Whisk together until light and airy.
- To assemble toasts, top each slice of toast with some cheese mixture, a basil leaf and a spoonful of the strawberries. Season with a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt if desired.
Notes
- Use either Stilton blue cheese or a soft goat cheese based on your preference.
- Toast baguette slices carefully under the broiler to avoid burning; watch closely.
- Allow the strawberry syrup and berries to marinate for 10 minutes to enhance flavor melding.
- The recipe is adapted from Cooking with Cocktails by Kristy Gardner with permission.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 311
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 311kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 22mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 460mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 201mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 360IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 28.5mg | 32% |
| Calcium | 121mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.