Recipe: Sage Cheese Toasts 6 Ways (roast beef, Greek, Mediterranean, apple and prosciutto, or pear and bacon)

SAGE CHEESE TOASTS 6 WAYS

"With a base of toasted French bread slices spread with sage cream cheese and an assortment of toppings you will have a variety of appetizers to take you through the holiday celebrations."



1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon McCormick Rubbed Sage
1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Black Pepper
1 loaf French bread, cut into 24 thin slices
Olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, sage and pepper in medium bowl until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Brush bread slices lightly on both sides with oil. Toast in oven 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Spread each bread slice with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. See below for Toppings.

TOPPINGS:

ROAST BEEF AND ROASTED RED PEPPER:
Top Cheese Toasts with 6 slices deli roast beef, each cut into 4 pieces, and 24 strips roasted red pepper.

GREEK:
Add 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Oregano Leaves to cream cheese mixture. Mix 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped, 2 tablespoons sliced black olives and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese. Spoon over Cheese Toasts.

MEDITERRANEAN:
Use 1/4 cup ricotta cheese in place of the sour cream and add 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Basil Leaves to cream cheese mixture. Top Cheese Toasts with 24 thin plum tomato slices and drizzle with 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar.

APPLE AND PROSCIUTTO:
Use 1/4 cup goat cheese (chevre) in place of the sour cream. Top Cheese Toasts with 6 slices prosciutto or deli ham, each cut into 4 pieces, and 24 thin apple slices.

PEAR AND BACON:
Add 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese to the cream cheese mixture. Top Cheese Toasts with 24 thin pear slices and 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon.

Makes 24 servings.
Source: McCormick