Ham & Cherry Toast with Gorgonzola

This Ham & Cherry Toast with Gorgonzola layers creamy Gorgonzola, thinly sliced ham, and fresh basil-dressed cherries over crispy toasted sourdough.

I first had a version of this toast at a restaurant and loved the combination of salty ham, gorgonzola, and seasonal cherries. I wanted to recreate it at home while keeping the ingredients simple and letting the cherries be the focus.

This Ham & Cherry Toast starts with toasted sourdough layered with Gorgonzola and thinly sliced ham. Fresh cherries are tossed with sherry vinegar, olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper, then spooned over the top for a simple summer toast that works as an appetizer or light meal.

If you like this toast, you’ll love my Cheesy Caramelized Onion & Apple Toasts and my Burrata Toast with Jam and Blackberries.

• Toasts/Flatbreads

Ham & Cherry Toast with Gorgonzola

This Ham & Cherry Toast with Gorgonzola layers creamy Gorgonzola, thinly sliced ham, and fresh basil-dressed cherries over crispy toasted sourdough.

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Ingredients

Serves 6 toasts

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For the Basil-Dressed Cherries:

• ▢ 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
• ▢ 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• ▢ 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
• ▢ Flaky sea salt
• ▢ Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the Toasts

• ▢ 6 slices sourdough or rustic bread
• ▢ Olive oil, for brushing
• ▢ 6 oz Gorgonzola cheese, softened
• ▢ 8 oz thinly sliced prosciutto or ham
• ▢ Fresh basil, for finishing
• ▢ Flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper

Instructions 

• Make the dressed cherries: Add the halved cherries to a bowl with the sherry vinegar, olive oil, basil, flaky sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Gently toss and let sit for 10–15 minutes so the cherries lightly marinate and release some of their juices.
• Toast the bread: Lightly brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and toast in a skillet, grill pan, or under the broiler until golden and crisp around the edges.
• Add the Gorgonzola: While the bread is still slightly warm, spread each toast generously with softened Gorgonzola.
• Add the ham: Loosely layer the thinly sliced ham over the Gorgonzola, folding it rather than laying it flat to give the toast some height.
• Add the cherries: Spoon the basil-dressed cherries over each toast, along with a little of the dressing from the bottom of the bowl.
• Finish and serve: Top with fresh basil, flaky sea salt, and cracked black pepper and serve immediately.

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