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

Brioches in Mini Pans

As you can see, judging from the photos...the brioches have a mind of their own; leaning 'every which way'...swaying from left-to-right, right to left' ...looks like they're falling over; but don't be fooled! They are golden brown, light-as-a-feather texture, and that's what counts!

I have an amazing recipe from my 1986 version of The Good Housekeeping Cookbook which I think is the BEST of all the other 3 that I compared it with...although they are quite similar. You can make Brioches in loaf pans which is a simple solution verses the perfect mini tin pans!

I did order the Good Housekeeping Cookbook 125th edition (2010) from Amazon, for $5.19 ...a book that retails for at least $30.00. Did you know that Goodwill Industries sells books on Amazon?...well, they are the seller; the book is almost new...shipping cost is $3.99 and I will be receiving it by next week. The new book suggests you make the Brioche in a loaf pan, which is more ideal.

I used RED STAR YEAST...this time, the Quick Rise Gluten Free, and I had great results...no doubting if the yeast will rise or not!

Brioches
from the New Good Housekeeping Cookbook
1986

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 packages active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup butter or margarine (1- 1/2 sticks)
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
5 eggs

In a large bowl, combine sugar, salt, yeast, and 1-1/2 cups flour. In a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat...heat butter or margarine and milk. until very warm. Butter or margarine does not need to melt.

With the mixer at low speed, beat liquid into dry ingredients, just until blended. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Beat in grated lemon peel, 4 eggs, and 1 cup flour to make a thick batter; continue beating 2 minutes, scraping bowl often.

Stir in 1 cup of flour to make a very soft dough, beat with spoon for 5 minutes.

Place dough in grease, large bow. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1 hour. Stir down dough, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

About 2 hours before serving, punch down dough, turn onto lightly floured surface, cover and let it rest for 15 minutes. Grease 12 (I only had 10) brioche pans

Cut off one-sixth of dough; set aside. Cut remaining dough into 12 pieces; shape each into small balls. Make a depression in center of each small ball; place the small balls in the depression; cover, let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In cup, beat remaining egg; use to brush brioches. Bake brioches for 20 minutes or until golden and brioches test done. Remove from pans.

Serve warm, fresh from the oven, or cool on wire racks. Ideal to serve with fruit spread, or butter!