Holiday entertaining often means evening parties with plates of appetizers, huge turkey dinners with all the fixings and a large variety of sweets and treats. But what if you want to do something a little more low key for your holiday event, yet still just as classy? A gourmet luncheon may be just the holiday event you’ve been looking for!
I decided to throw a little lunch party recently for a few friends, and I knew just where to start when it came to planning the menu. Happy Planet Fresh Soups are the perfect gourmet addition to any meal, and I decided that a simple menu of the new West African Squash and Cashew Soup with Open-Faced Apple and Gruyere Sandwiches would be the perfect way to impress guests without too much effort!
Open-Faced Apple and Gruyere Sandwiches with West African Squash and Cashew Soup
Simple gourmet open-faced sandwiches with fresh soup perfect for holiday lunches!
Ingredients
- 1 500 g package Happy Planet West African Squash and Cashew Fresh Soup
- 4 slices light rye bread
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 apple, quartered and thinly sliced
- 4 oz. Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat soup in small saucepan, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, lay slices of bread on a baking sheet.
- Spread each slice of bread with 1 tsp. butter. Layer apples on bread and layer cheese over apples.
- Broil the apple and cheese sandwiches for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Serve immediately with heated soup.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
The open-faced concept of these sandwiches elevates them above traditional soup and sandwich fare, and the Gruyere and apples pair so beautifully with the creamy squash soup. I loved that this meal took just minutes to pull together, yet impressed everyone at the table with its delectable flavours and pretty presentation. While I’m a big coffee fan, hot cups of sweet tea were the perfect accompanying beverage!
To finish off the meal, I simply served a tray of assorted homemade holiday baking. It was a pretty and tasty way to finish off a relaxing holiday lunch with friends. And of course, no party is complete without party favours! A sampler box of assorted chocolates at each plate let guests enjoy some goodies once they returned home.
Whether you host your own gourmet lunch or you’re looking for a classy first course for your holiday meal, make sure to put Happy Planet Fresh Soups 500g pouches on your grocery list. Your guests will love the rich flavour that comes from soups made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives. And you’ll enjoy the fact that the soups are ready to eat in just minutes! Find Happy Planet Fresh Soups, including the new Portuguese White Bean and Kale Soup and West African Squash and Cashew Soup, at grocery stores across Canada and elevate your holiday meal with these delicious and nutritious soups!
Looks great and it looks like something I could handle too.
I’d really like to try this out! Thanks for the recipe!
This sounds like a great combo.
Great idea. Keeping thing simpler during the holidays can be a real stress reducer and this luncheon menu is simply tasty.
Happy Planet is basically a local business to where I live. I haven’t tried their soups but they make great smoothies!
I haven’t seen this soup before. I’ll have to look for it.
Sounds like a great soup! I will have to try :)
I have had this before,I am not one for fruit on bread but this was great tasting.
oh yeah yum!!
looks delicious