RADISH CHIVE TEA SANDWICHES WITH SESAME AND GINGER and CHERRY TOMATOES FILLED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND TARRAGON

A dear friend had a yoga themed birthday party - a great yoga class out on the back deck with wonderful people, followed by lovely libations and fabulous food. A truly beautiful, heart opening day, for a beautiful lady.
I wanted to make something that was fun, elegant, flavorful and mostly healthy - to fit the theme of the day.

RADISH CHIVE TEA SANDWICHES WITH SESAME AND GINGER

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons minced chives, divided
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
3/4 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
16 1/4 inch thick baguette slices, lightly toasted
10 radishes, thinly sliced
sea salt to finish

Mix butter, 2 tablespoons chives, sesame seeds, ginger, and oil in a small bowl, season with salt and pepper. Spread butter mixture over each bread slice. Top with radishes, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with remaining chives and sea salt, if desired.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, April 2008
www.bonappetit.com/recipes‎

CHERRY TOMATOES FILLED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND TARRAGON

20 cherry tomatoes
4 ounces cream cheese, slightly softened
5 ounces of goat cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of chopped tarragon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cut off a very thin slice from the base of each tomato, so they will stay upright. Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato and scoop out the pulp, leaving interior walls intact.
Place tomatoes on a tray lined with paper towels, hollow side down to drain residual liquid.
Place cream cheese, goat cheese, lemon juice and tarragon with salt and pepper into a bowl and mix together.
Spoon cream cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle. Place tomatoes on their bases and pipe mixture into each tomato case. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from YW, March 2013