Smoked Salmon on Toast Points

I already posted two "Wordless Wednesday' post...almost did a 'Silent Sunday', but I can't stay 'wordless'...and I can't stay 'silent'! It's been such a torment and grieving period for me; first, the 'denial', and second the 'shock and grief'. Never in my life have I witnessed a favorite pet, passing away, and I never want to experience that as long as I live. I really think that poor little Mush missed Prince so much since he's been gone for the past two years...she grieved for her 'best buddy' for over a year. A few months ago, I found out that she has 'heart murmur' and I have been giving her pills daily, but in the end she gave up.

Although, she has been a lot closer to me (meaning, that she wanted to sit on my lap and literally patting my hand to pet her, (so cute, which I did anyway)...I cancelled her last appointment to the vet, and I cannot forgive myself. The hardest part is; when I walk through the door...just like to 'poem says'...she is no longer there to greet me!

I always have fresh herbs on 'hand'...eggs, capers, cream cheese, and occasionally buy smoked Nova Salmon. Not cheap by all means, but oh, so good. The best way that I love it is to make little 'open faced' sandwiches, or on bagels. These cute little whole grain party breads are a perfect choice...better than cutting up bread for 'toast points'...I prefer making toasts out of the little party loaf, and you have the perfect little snack to enjoy...and healthy too!

I have not been eating dinners at all since Mushy died...just snacks in the middle of the day, skipping breakfast as well! (not a good idea, just have no appetite)

Now that I pulled out my dear departed Hungarian grandmother's hand crocheted doily from my 'secret' drawer; she made this lovely piece and more for me, years ago which I kept it in meticulous condition; I'm proudly displaying that, as well!
As for me, I can totally just eat appetizers, and skip dinner! I love the Spanish inspired Tapas, as well and have been checking them out to make something really inspiring. Of course, the Italian Antipasti is not too 'shabby'...love the small bites!


Smoked Salmon on Toast Points
slightly adapted from Williams- Sonoma

For the herbed cream cheese:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh chives
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh dill
• 6 slices white or wheat sandwich bread, crusts removed, each cut into 4 triangles
• I used whole grain party bread
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
• 6 oz. smoked salmon, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup capers, finely chopped
• 3 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and grated
• Dill sprigs for garnish

To prepare the herbed cream cheese, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, chives and dill. Stir with a wooden spoon until well blended. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat an oven to 350F.

Brush the bread on both sides with the melted butter. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until the toast points are golden and slightly crispy, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely.

To assemble, spread the herbed cream cheese on the toast points and place 1/2 to 1 whole slice of salmon on top. Garnish with the onion, capers, hard-cooked eggs and dill sprigs. Arrange on a platter.

Alternatively, arrange the toast points and smoked salmon on platters. Place the herbed cream cheese, onion, capers, hard-cooked eggs and dill sprigs in separate serving bowls and let guests assemble their own hors d’oeuvres. Serves 8 to 10.


Thank you for all your kind and caring words of comfort, I appreciate each and every one of your kind comments. I do apologize for not visiting and commenting on your blogs for almost 1 week now. I am getting back to the normal routine, and will not abandon my blog, or my favorite blogger friends! Your friendship means a lot to me, and I hope to stay in touch with you for a long time to come! Hugs,
Elisabeth

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches...and a busy day!

I was so determined to make something light today for lunch, and suddenly, an idea just came to my mind...why not Cucumber Tea Sandwiches?!...after all, I had all the ingredients, including the 'soft spread' cream cheese and fresh dill, which I like to keep on hand but they go bad so quickly. I don't even like to freeze them because they taste terrible when you thaw them out!
These little open faced sandwiches are not enough to satisfy your hunger...but for an afternoon snack with 'tea'...in my case, iced tea, would have been just the right snack to 'hit the spot.'

Also, did the same thing to the cupboards to check for items, and I even made a banana bread, as well. It sure was nice to have a large piece with cold iced tea  after the little sandwiches.

In the meantime...the lawn care guys came, and of course the little doggies went crazy, barking their little heads off!

When you have ripe bananas, I mean ripe...as in little brown spots ripe; that's when its the best time to make banana bread and if you have some chocolate chips...even better...yumm

(Remind me to post the recipe on my next post)...although I do have at least two recipes on my blog for banana bread!

...and by-the-way, the loaf pan that I gave to my daughter, is a heavy-duty calphalon, so nice to bake in it, and it was actually brand new...such a treasure from Goodwill...a fabulous thrift find for $1.99.

We do get hot temperatures, but also rain, every day since last month. Doesn't rain all day long...just on-and-off, but trying to take pictures in-between the rain, and the sun...seriously; that's how it is here in S. Florida.

Getting back to my tea sandwiches!

First off: you must have one of these gadgets, the plastic mandolin...another thing, if you can't find this in a 'thrift store'...which is almost, but I should say...always new, because most people do not, or cannot use them because they don't know how! The cost:  99cents...and I have at least 3 of these, the other two have extra gadgets, for cutting different things.

For the method:
Take one, or two cucumbers, and peel partially, like in the photo, cut the ends off, and with a steady hand slice the cucumbers. (just watch the tip of your fingers, because the blade is extremely sharp.)
Set sliced cucumbers aside on a plate, and start cutting your bread.

You can cut your bread into any shape you would like to, if you want round shapes, just use a biscuit cutter, or different cookies shape cutters. Just make sure you cut the crusts of. I used a triangle cut, (they're not so even) but that's OK...it's just for myself!

The best cream cheese to use, is the Philadelphia spreadable cheese; leave outside for about 20 before spreading on your favorite bread slices. I used a really good oat bread. If you can't find the soft spread cheese, you can use the regular cream cheese, just let it come to room temperature!

Spread each slices lightly...

Line the thin slices of cucumber in a decorative style on the slices of bread, and with kitchen shears, snip a small piece off...I got a little carried away, on a couple slice of bread, with the dill; but I love dill so much, the fragrance is incredible, and so is the flavor! Such an Eastern European 'thing'...the famous DILL!

I sprinkled some freshly ground sea salt, and freshly ground multi-colored peppers on them...such light and delicious little sandwiches!




...and that's all there is to it; Enjoy!

• ---

• 
  
•