I am new to mixing sweet and savory, so I was a little nervous about spreading goat cheese on bread, topping it with strawberries, balsamic vinegar and pepper? So I just jumped in an split open a loaf of Ciabatta and smeared the ingredients on it.
Well, I put this appetizer down in front of my family and they didn't flinch. I think it was so visually pleasing that they were open to tasting it.
My 14 year old son was OK with it, but I could tell that he was secretly longing for a bagel with cream cheese and strawberries... he has learned to be kind and keep his mouth shut.
On the other hand, my 11 year old had a lot to say about this tartine. First of all that I wasn't pronouncing tartine correctly. She is taking French now. " Tartine means pie... this isn't a pie (it doesn't mean pie)... it's more of sandwich...and I think it needs a stronger cheese on it... like Camembert... and on and on...
I think my husband was mostly into the cool Patricia & Paul Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar that my sister gave us as a gift... He kept sprinkling more and more on top of his piece.
A fun easy to make appetizer, great for a hot day,... and as my daughter said, I think you could use other soft cheese and even other fruit. I think kiwi would be terrific on this tartine, with regular, not strawberry balsamic vinegar.
Note: As a member of French Friday's with Dorie I am not allowed to print the recipe. I invite you to take a look at this wonderful cookbook "Around My French Table" if you are interested in this or any other recipe I review.
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It looks intriguing to me
ReplyDeleteI must say that here even cream cheese with strawberry will raise a brow, as people are not familiar with it.
I actually like it, but never tried strawberry with goat cheese....
Well, goat cheese is definitely healthier for you than cream cheese. I think it is still a bit unusual for here too.
DeleteStrawberries are delicious with balsamic, I use the combination all summer. The blend of savory and sweet in dishes can be so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI have seen berry salads with balsamic and have thought them too adventurous for me... but my family warmed to this no problem.
DeleteBeautiful! I must try, I love balsamic w/ anything!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love it Paula... so simple to make and it looks pretty too.
DeleteSounds different, a nice combination!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a lot of contrasts going on.. I really enjoyed it.
DeleteStrawberries and goat cheese are a great combination - no matter what platform they are sitting on. (I made a salad with this combo the first time I went to make the tartine and realized that I had no bread in the house). This is a great place for flavored balsamics!
ReplyDeleteWhat no bread! Salad with goat cheese and strawberries sounds great.
DeleteDiane, this is phenomenal!!
ReplyDeleteAnd so SIMPLE... don't you love good easy recipes, thanks.
DeleteHave you had them for breakfast yet Diane? For something so simple I think I'll be making these tons this summer.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for breakfast. My daughter made it yesterday with chocolate syrup on it.
DeleteLove your daughter’s comments…So very sophisticated! Your plate looks so inviting! I actually made a couple for breakfast this morning. Love fruit and cheese with a splash of Balsamic…Yummy! Have a great weekend, Diane!
ReplyDeleteSophisticated bordering on "smartie-pants." You have a lovely weekend too.
DeleteGlad your crew was OK with this, too! I'm certain I'm mispronouncing tartine as well :)
ReplyDeleteIf you like I could send you a French tutor for a weekend. She does bake well for her age.
DeleteIts always nice when our FFwD recipes are well received at home! It cracked me up that your 11 year old studying French had several comments. Kids keep us entertained, don't they?
ReplyDeleteSome days she's entertaining others... well, it goes it the territory.
DeleteStrawberry balsamic vinegar - perfect! I love your daughter's authoritative commentary, too.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that she isn't afraid to voice her opinion... about anything.
DeleteHahaha your 11 year old cracks me up. Not only is she learning French, but she sounds like a French girl too ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was well received at your house.
Yes, I see the year abroad in her future. She will come back with even better baking skills.
DeleteI told my husband that he had to at least try the first one according to the recipe (with both the balsamic and ground pepper) and then after that he could do what he wanted. Imagine my surprise when he added both to his second serving. The balsamic really does go perfectly here.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was seriously digging the balsamic vinegar too. I have always heard how good it is on berries but I never tried it. Next berries, balsamic, and ice cream.
DeleteI don't think you can go wrong with strawberries and goat cheese, such a great combination! I like the way you've served them up here to your family but I also have to admit to liking the idea of this combo on a bagel too ;-) Fun to get the family trying new things;)
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be delicious on a bagel, but it is really easy to spread it on a half of loaf bread and plop it down on the table. It looked really pretty too.
DeleteDiane, beautiful ripe strawberry slices on top of your wonderful tartines - so nice that everyone seemed to have enjoyed this simple recipe so very much! Even if your son was craving bagels - the strawberry balsamic also sounds delicious, I went with homemade raspberry balsamic since I used raspberries instead of strwberries - sounds like we had similar ideas - I love that pretty plate that you used, makes for such a nice presentation!
ReplyDeleteHave a good Sunday!
Thanks Andrea I found this dish easy to make and easy to present. Really a great starter to pull out for guests in the early Summer.
DeleteThese was really good. I could not believe hubby really liked them. This will be a great snack all summer with a lot
ReplyDeleteof variations, I'm sure.
Yes, I need to try my daughter's suggestion of camembert.
DeleteLove that special strawberry balsamic- it looks amazing. And your family's comments are precious- especially your daughter's. I love that she had cheese options and the opinion on a correct tartine - that is fabulous ! I am open to sweet/savory but still had to taste this combo to believe it. And what a taste it was. My guys all "mowed them down" and were looking for more. And no, they could not believe that pepper and vinegar tasted so amazing here.
ReplyDeleteIt just doesn't sound like it is going to taste as good as it does... but it all works including the pepper.
DeleteSo glad that all of the family liked this. It was a surprise hit for me too.
ReplyDeleteI think any creamy cheese would work with the strawberries. Your balsamic vinegar sounds like the perfect one for this dish. I used a "special occasion" bottle which was also nice. I love the comments from your budding gourmand. She'll keep you on her toes, for sure!
ReplyDeleteYes, I plan on making this all summer and experimenting with different creamy cheese. I will munch away and listen to my daughter's critiques.
DeleteI think you might as well hand over the spatula to that little Francophile who lives in your house. And, after doing that, let her write the Posts (in English, please). I'm betting that her ability to speak the language will translate to a more discretionary palate. I liked this week's recipe, with fresh bread or toasted. And, it can be made with all kinds of variations, as your daughter suggested. Glad that everyone in your family liked it - thinking that the strawberry balsamic vinegar sounds pretty good.
ReplyDeleteOh Mary she is such a charming handful. I have let her take over the baking but dinner is still mine. This week I used the strawberry balsamic vinegar again... it is very tasty.
DeleteYummy in my tummy! Stopping by from Wednesday Whatsits.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Debra... yes, truly delicious and easy to make.
DeleteI wasn't expecting to like the combination, so I was surprised to find I wanted to keep eating!
ReplyDeleteI was a bit like your husband, I kept sprinkling more and more balsamic as well!
It was really a surpriser... and the balsamic was so much better on it than I thought it would be.
DeleteThis looks delicious, Diane. I'm not that keen on goat's cheese, but I know a lot of people who would just love this. I really like the way you have used balsamic vinegar as well.
ReplyDeleteApril you could use any type of soft cheese: creme fraiche or even cream cheese. The vinegar really brings it together in an interesting way.
DeleteDiane, this is a beautiful Tartine that I would just love! Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a fabulous week and come back soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
LOL have your daughter come and teach me the French she is learning please!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOnly if you can accent tartine correctly... lol. It is fun living with a Francophile in the making.
DeleteThis is very similar to what we tried at OLIV Tasting Room! I think it was a mix of goat cheese and cream cheese though! Very tasty. Try a little of your favorite flavored balsamic in a glass of cold water! Instant flavored water with the benefits, but not the taste, of vinegar!
ReplyDeleteMaureen @ redcottagechronicles.com
As a drink... that is really interesting. I find learning about balsamic vinegars to be very enlightening. I made a chicken dish with the strawberry vinegar I got ...super simple and really delicious. So glad I found your site.
DeleteFamily reactions are always so interesting and fun to read! My family usually provides a lot of impassioned feedback to whatever I make, good or bad. Thanks for sharing this interesting recipe!
ReplyDeleteFor good or bad our family's are our best food critics.
Delete