I always struggle with appetizers. I think I’m not good at them and I think I repeat things too much. I always want to make something different, but it has to be easy. You know how it is, you read all these great sounding recipes and you want to make them all and then the day of, or mid-way through your party menu, you realize, uh oh, this is just too much! You’ve been there? Well this simple recipe of feta, radishes, watercress and mint toasts is really perfect! It’s different, delicious, has wonderful fresh bursts of flavor, and a contrast of textures with the crunchiness of the radishes, the creaminess of the feta, the chewiness of the peasant bread, and then there’s that surprise burst of mint that is so refreshing. And most importantly, it’s easy. Is it hard to tell I like this?
In talking about the mint, which is my addition to the original Food & Wine recipe, don’t put any more than three leaves on each serving. I always keep in mind an article by April Bloomfield (of John Dory Oyster Bar, The Breslin and Spotted Pig restaurant fame) from a few years ago. She said these surprise bursts of flavors, whether it’s a perfectly toasted, spicy warm nut or a wonderful cube of pancetta, should be scattered judiciously in a dish so that you search for them and feel elated and satiated when you’ve discovered the little gem again.
I made this recipe as a starter to a lunch that reconnected me to my dear friend, Joan, and her whole family. We hadn’t seen each other in 30 years! She was one of my bridesmaids. She came in from St. Louis, her sister and mother from Nashville and her brother and his partner live just 20 minutes from us in upstate NY, which we didn’t know before. It was a wonderful reunion on a beautiful sunny Saturday in late April, the kind where you just can’t talk fast enough, you have so much to catch up on. It’s so fantastic to reunite with old friends. Even though you have so much to talk about, you can still speak in shorthand, because of the history you have. Isn’t that just so nice?
It’s so pretty, isn’t it? Now if only the watercress could be blue, you would have the perfect July 4th dish with this! (just kidding)
FETA, RADISHES, WATERCRESS AND MINT TOASTS – serve 8
½ bunch watercress, thick stems discarded
16 – 24 fresh mint leaves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Four 1/2-inch-thick slices of peasant bread, sliced in half
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3 – 5 radishes, thinly sliced (use a hand mandoline)
4 oz. French feta cheese, at room temperature
Heat a cast-iron grill pan or two large skillets. Brush the bread with 1/4 cup of olive oil and grill over high heat, turning once, until toasted. Spread the feta on top of the toasts, distribute radish slices, top with watercress and two to three mint leaves on each. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle very lightly with salt and fresh ground pepper and serve.
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Put feta cheese on anything and you’ve got me! This salad looks delicious.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Italian Treasures – The Infiorata Festivals
Me too Jovina! I LOVE feta! And this is a great fresh appetizer/first course.
I wish I had bought the radishes and watercress I saw at the farmers market today, It’s so funny I had the radishes in my hand and put them back. Well next week I am getting them and making this beautiful dish.
apuginthekitchen recently posted…Sri Lankan Curry Chicken Kebabs for Fiesta Friday #21
🙂 🙂 🙂 Lately Suzanne I don’t question why I’m drawn to something if I pick it up at the market, because invariably I’ll need that for a recipe later – somehow it’s all been working out for me. Next time!
I don’t use radishes enough. I think your appetizers are always special – at least the ones you share with us. 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…The Ultimate Steak and Eggs Breakfast
Aw Maureen – you’re too sweet! I think radishes are the forgotten vegetable.
What an amazing time that must have been. Love the combination of flavours 🙂
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Recipe For Sachertorte
It was a wonderful afternoon!! I keep reliving it, Tandy!
They are so FRESH and delicious! I love the combo of flavours.
Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted…Quinoa Chicken Salad with Lemon Balm Walnut Vinaigrette
Thanks Angie – it’s a great starter!!
I like baby raddish:) toasts – so inviting
traditionallymodernfood recently posted…Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Thanks Vidya!! Thanks for visiting!
This appetizer was so delicious and perfect for a hot summer evening – the entire lunch was superb!! We had such a great time and it was so wonderful reuniting after all these years. Can’t wait until next time.
Love and big hugs –
Joan xo
It was SO GREAT Joan!!! Can’t wait until next time!!
xoxo, M.
These look very pretty, but radishes are very strong for me. Great idea though!
yummychunklet recently posted…I’m back! (For real this time)
Well there are breakfast radishes now at many farmer’s markets, which are milder. You could try those!
That’s a great toast. My mother used to grow radishes and she often sliced them and put them on a slice of bread with other salad ingredients. It’s a lovely summery dinner xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted…Jarrah Hot Chocolate and a Giveaway
Yes!! It really is – so fresh, clean tasting and light!
I’ve never tried mint and radishes together! What a great idea. All of those flavors and textures sound marvelous together. I’d say you’ve got appetizers covered. 🙂
Lindsey | Cafe Johnsonia recently posted…Golden Beet Lemonade
Thanks Lindsey – so sweet of you to say!!
What a terrific, unique summer appetizer! Not to heavy and such a lovely combination of flavors!
Exactly!! – this is a good one Liz!
That looks like a wonderful appetizer to me! I can almost taste the spicy, crunch radish! Love it…:)
Pat recently posted…Polenta Crust, Roasted-Tomato Quiche, with Goat Cheese and Oregano Pesto
Yes Pat – it is really terrific, particularly with the added surprise of the mint!
I love the colours of this appetiser Mary… so pretty and appealing to the eye. The freshness and crunch of the ingredients must be just what’s needed in the height of summer too.
Margot | Gather and Graze recently posted…One Fine Frittata
Definitely Margot – it was so pretty!!
What a terrific roundup of flavors and textures…and so refreshing for the Summer!
The Squishy Monster recently posted…Life Lately
Thanks Angela – this would be great in your neck of the woods on a hot summer evening!
Mary Frances, what a lovely appetizer. I love the pairing of ingredients!
Thanks Sheryl!!
What a beautiful dish, love all those pops of color! We are about to pick our 2nd batch of radishes, so I will give this a taste!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl recently posted…Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Thanks Pamela!! Would love to hear back on how you liked it.
yum these look great! thanks for the recipe, love the flavour combination of feta, watercress and mint.
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Chocolate and Banana French Toast with Salted Caramel
Thanks Thalia!! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Mary and thanks for the recipe, a healthy food with a really pleasant taste.