Sesame and Celery Blue Cheese Toasts

Offer these marvellous toasts as part of a sharing starter or serve them simply for an irresistible snack.

Serves: 6

Prepare: 15 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 white loaf or rye bread, sliced about 1cm thick
• 40g white sesame seeds
• 250g creamy, mild blue cheese
• 3 stalks celery, very finely sliced
• 10g flat parsley, leaves only
• 10g chives, finely chopped
• 1 lemon, juice
• extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

1. Preheat the oven to 200°c, gas mark 6. Lay the bread slices on baking trays and toast in the oven for 15 minutes, turning once. Meanwhile, put the sesame seeds in a small pan over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown and smelling like popcorn (3-4 minutes). Remove from the heat and set aside.

2. Spread a few tablespoons of blue cheese over each piece of toast, then cut in half crossways. Toss the celery, parsley, chives and toasted sesame seeds together into a small bowl. Add the lemon juice and season. Top the cheese with the celery mixture, drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Tip: Be sure to choose a blue cheese that's cream in texture (so you can easily spread it onto the toast) and mild in flavour (so it doesn't overpower the other ingredients).