Herb and goats cheese tartines
A easy dish either as a light snack or a starter inspired by the woods and the park surrounding Château Cantemerle in the Haut Médoc. Another high low pairing this is like a sophisticated open sandwich served with Les Allées de Cantemerle the second wine of the property, Cabernet Sauvignon driven with herbal notes that pair beautifully with the plants foraged from the park around the property.
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: n/a
Serves: 4 small canapé-style tartines or 2 large, generous tartines
Ingredients
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4 slices of bread
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150 g plain fresh cheese (fresh goat’s cheese or plant-based soft
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1 small handful of young nettle leaves
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6 to 8 fresh borage leaves and flowers
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 teaspoon lemon juice
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Gomasio, to taste
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A few heather flowers, to decorate
Method
1. Prepare the nettles
Wearing gloves, pick the young nettle leaves. Rinse them thoroughly, then blanch them in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, refresh and squeeze out any excess water. Chop finely.
2. Make the herb cream
Mix the fresh cheese with the chopped nettle, finely shredded borage, olive oil and lemon juice. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the mint to your taste.
3. Prepare the tartines
Lightly toast the bread. Leave to cool slightly, then spread generously with the fresh cheese. mix
4. Sprinkle with gomasio.
5. Decorate
Just before serving, scatter a few small heather flowers over the top. You can add a mint leaf and a drizzle of olive oil for an elegant finish.
The recipe’s little secret
The cooked nettle adds a gentle, green flavour, similar to spinach. The mint brings freshness and lifts the cheese. The heather adds a floral touch and a pretty colour contrast. Its flavour is subtle, so use it mainly as a decorative finish.
The recipe was created with 'De Sève et d’Embrun'
Wine
The château recommends Les Allées de Cantemerle 2018, the second wine of the property.
The aromatic intensity of goats cheese demands a wine of character.
With its very expressive fruit, Les Allées de Cantemerle strikes a great balance. between floral and red fruit notes that enhance the herbal flavours of the dish.
Its brightness of the wine is perfect with the freshness goats cheese. a subtle yet indulgent pairing.
What Sally and Wendy think
Château Cantermerle is a classified growth of Haut Médoc. An elegant property making elegant wines and the sister property of Château Grand Corbin in Saint Emilion (you can see their cookies here) . This recipe show their connection to their environment using local plants foraged in the woods. When you visit the property you can take a tour through the park and woods to discover the local floral with a herbalist! They even make their own tisanes but we think the wines pairs better!