Smoked Salmon Toasts

Zippy and fresh, this easy recipe makes a lovely appetizer or mid-afternoon snack. This recipe makes 15 toasts, but can easily be doubled.

PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 10 minutes

Ingredients
For the cheese mixture:
4 ounces mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
Juice from 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste

Remaining ingredients:
1/2 whole-wheat or whole-grain baguette, sliced into 15 rounds 1/4" thick
6 ounces smoked salmon
1/2 cucumber, diced
Chopped fresh dill or parsley, for garnish

Directions
Make the cheese mixture: Combine all ingredients in a small food processor or mix with a hand mixer. Place in a nonreactive bowl, cover and chill until ready to use.

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Toast in the oven for 7-10 minutes, flipping once in the middle of cooking, until the toasts just begin to brown. Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes before handling.

To assemble the toasts, place a few pieces of toasted bread on your work surface. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture on each toast. Press a few pieces of cucumber into the cheese. Lay an onion slice over the top, then top with a bit of salmon. Garnish with herbs. Repeat until all ingredients are used up. Serve right away.