Finnish Bread Cheese Toast with Tomato Salad
Finnish Bread Cheese Toast with Tomato Salad is a simple Nordic appetizer made with buttery archipelago bread, melted Finnish bread cheese (leipäjuusto), and a fresh tomato salad tossed in a tangy mustard-maple dressing. It's easy to prepare in just 20 minutes and is perfect as a starter, light lunch, or summer meal.
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Oven
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Mixing bowl
- Small whisk or spoon
Ingredients
For the toast
- 4 slices archipelago bread
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 4 slices about 200 g / 7 oz Finnish bread cheese (leipäjuusto), cut to fit the bread
For the tomato salad
- 2 medium tomatoes diced
- 1 fresh onion spring onion with the bulb, finely sliced
- A handful of fresh parsley chopped
Dressing
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp wholegrain mustard
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- ¼ tsp salt or to taste
- black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Spread the butter over the slices of archipelago bread.
- Place a slice of Finnish bread cheese on each slice, trimming the cheese if needed so it fits the bread.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the bread cheese has melted and become soft and gooey. It softens but still holds its shape.
- While the bread is in the oven, combine the diced tomatoes, sliced fresh onion, and chopped parsley in a bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, olive oil, wholegrain mustard, maple syrup, black pepper, and salt.
- Pour the dressing over the tomato salad and toss gently to coat.
- Spoon the tomato salad over the warm bread cheese toasts and serve immediately.
Notes
- Finnish bread cheese (leipäjuusto) melts into a wonderfully soft and gooey topping, making this toast especially comforting and delicious.
- If you can't find Finnish bread cheese, use another mild bread cheese or grilling cheese that softens well in the oven.
- Homemade archipelago bread gives this recipe its authentic Nordic flavor, but a hearty rye or malted bread also works well.
- Prepare the tomato salad just before serving so it stays fresh and juicy.