Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines

The arrival of spring doesn't just bring the anticipated appearance of a colorful and green landscape, but it seems to call for the return of the weekend brunch. One preferably enjoyed outdoors on the decks or patios that have gone mostly unused during the winter months. Not that we need a reason, but Easter, Passover, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or countless graduation gatherings only seem to further entice us to host a weekend brunch for friends and/or family. 

One of the benefits of brunch is that it generally takes very little time or effort to pull off. The only difference between creating a good brunch and a great brunch has everything to do with presentation. And it's as simple as artfully arranging platters of fruits and (homemade or bakery bought) pastries, whipping up a pan of soft scrambled eggs, brewing some coffee, and replacing bagels, cream cheese, and lox with these show stopping Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines. With or without mimosas and/or Bloody Marys, there may not be an easier way to create an unforgettable meal. 

Beautiful, delicious food always calls for the use of real plates, real glassware, and real silverware. It's one of those 'if you know you know' unwritten rules of casual entertaining. 

The only advance preparation required for these Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines is making the pickled red onions the night before. However, if you too have recently discovered the delicious versatility of pickled red onions, you will probably already have a jar of them in your refrigerator! Now that pickled red onions are a new staple around here, I also almost always have cream cheese and capers in the refrigerator. Which means the only things I need to buy when making these tartines is a fresh baguette, the Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese, Nova or Smoked Salmon, and some fresh dill. Depending on the freshness dates on the packages of both the boursin cheese and salmon, I generally like to buy several of each as they both can be used for so many other things.

You can get anywhere from 18-22 slightly generous 1/4" slices from the baguette when it's cut on the diagonal. I prefer buying the artisan versus whole wheat baguettes. Partly for flavor and presentation, but mostly because of personal preference.

Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil and lightly sprinkle them with flaky sea salt before putting them on a large rimmed baking sheet in a preheated 400 degree (F) oven for 9-11 minutes. It doesn't take long for them to become golden and perfectly crisp. Note: If you do not have a heavy bottomed baking sheet, then put two baking sheets together. Thin baking sheets could give way to a burnt bottom.

Assembling the Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines is incredibly easy. After slathering on some of the whipped boursin cheese and cream cheese mixture on the toasted bread, you simply place a generous piece of salmon on top before finishing it with some pickled onions, chopped fresh dill and capers. Cut up some lemon wedges, arrange the tartines on a platter, and walla there you have it! Easy peasy.

The herbed creamed cheeses, the luscious salmon, the tart, sweet pickled red onions, the lemony tang of the capers, and the sweetness of the dill on top of the slices of the toasted baguette combine to make the most gorgeous, mouthwatering bites of deliciousness. These are so fantastically good it's highly unlikely you will have any leftovers.

So, if by chance, you were looking for a reason to host a brunch, these Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines are more than reason enough. You can serve them assembled or a-la-carte, but in all honesty, the tartines have the biggest WOW factor when served already put together. 

These Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines are almost guaranteed to make your friends and family feel special and walk away so impressed they will be talking about your brunch for days, maybe weeks. So what is not to love about the visually stunning presentation of a dish made with simple ingredients and having incredible flavors? Let me know if you come up with any reasons.

Recipe

Boursin Cheese Salmon Tartines

Makes 18-20 tartines, Serves 6-8

Ingredients

1 fresh baguette, cut into generous 1/4" slices on the diagonal (you should get anywhere from 18-22 slices)

Extra-virgin oil

Flaky sea salt

4 ounces cream cheese, softened 

5.2 ounce (150g) package of Garlic and Herb Boursin Cheese

8 ounces (227g) Nova Salmon, cut into slices

2 Tablespoons capers

About a 1/2 cup Pickled Onions

Freshly chopped dill

Lemon Wedges from 1-2 lemons

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (F). 

2. Lightly brush both sides of the sliced baguette with extra-virgin olive oil. Lightly sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Place on a large, heavy bottomed rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the baking sheet and let come to room temperature.

3. In a medium sized bowl, beat the cream cheese and boursin cheese until creamy. Set aside.

4. For the assembly, spread a generous tablespoon (or slightly more) on each piece of toasted bread. Then place a generous piece of the sliced salmon on top of the cheese layer. Top with some pickled onions, capers, and chopped dill. 

5. Serve immediately on a large platter with a side of lemon wedges.