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The appetizer, Regional

Cervelle de canut with toasts

Cervelle de canut is a Lyonnaise herbed fromage blanc dip, seasoned with shallot, garlic and fresh herbs, served on toasted baguette slices, for 6 people. It takes 15 minutes of active work, is made entirely the day before, and costs about €0.80 per person at a very easy skill level. The key to success is draining the fromage blanc well and letting it rest overnight so the shallot and garlic infuse.

Fresh cervelle de canut, perked up with shallot and fresh herbs, spread on a toast, it's a little piece of Lyon at your table.

Cervelle de canut with toasts
For
6 people
Work
15 min
Total time
2 h 30
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€0.80
Calories per person
130 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Cervelle de canut takes its name from the Lyon silk workers, the canuts, who ate it as a simple, fresh meal. It's a drained fromage blanc, creamy yet firm, livened up with shallot, garlic and a handful of fresh herbs, with just enough vinegar to sharpen the flavor. Spread on a crisp toast, it plays on the contrast between cool, tangy cheese and crunchy bread.

This is the appetizer you pull out for a relaxed dinner with friends, since everything is done the day before except the toasts. It works year round, whether for a casual family meal or as part of a bigger spread of nibbles. Its low cost and no cooking required make it a smart pick when you're hosting a crowd.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 4 steps, 2 h
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, drain the fromage blanc, prep the herbs and mix everything together, then let it rest in the fridge overnight. Right before your guests arrive, slice the baguette and toast it so it stays crisp. When it's time to serve, spoon the cervelle de canut into a bowl, set the toasts alongside, and scatter a little fresh chives on top.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Fromage blanc 500 g
  • Heavy cream 10 cl

Fruits and vegetables

  • Shallots 2
  • Garlic 1 cloves
  • Chives 1 bunch
  • Parsley 1 bunch

Pantry

  • Wine vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Lactose, Gluten

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Pour the fromage blanc into a strainer lined with a clean cloth and let it drain in the fridge. 2 h

    Two hours is enough, the whey drains out and the cheese thickens nicely.

  2. Finely chop the shallots, garlic, chives and parsley.

    Chop the herbs at the last minute, they darken quickly once cut.

  3. Mix the drained fromage blanc with the cream, herbs, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.

    Season generously, fromage blanc is very mild and needs more salt than you'd think.

  4. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate until the next day.

    Resting overnight lets the shallot and garlic infuse into the cheese.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Cut the baguette into thin slices and toast them until golden. 10 min

    Toast them at the last minute so they stay crisp.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Serve the cervelle de canut in a bowl with the toasts on the side.

    Garnish with a little fresh chives for color.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use whole milk fromage blanc rather than a low fat version, it holds up better after draining and gives a creamier texture.
  • If you don't have a fine cloth, a paper coffee filter set in the strainer works just as well for draining the fromage blanc.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving, a night in the fridge often mutes the salt and pepper.

The variations

  • Swap the parsley for tarragon or chervil for a more fragrant version, keeping the same quantities.
  • For a gluten free option, serve the cervelle de canut with crackers or raw vegetables instead of baguette toasts.
  • For kids, make a milder version by leaving out the garlic and cutting the shallot by half.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry white wine
  • Crunchy radishes for dipping
  • A board of cured meats

Storage

Cervelle de canut keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well, the fromage blanc would lose its texture. Keep the toasts separate in an airtight container so they stay crisp.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use fresh cheese like faisselle instead of fromage blanc?

Yes, faisselle works very well and usually needs a bit less draining time. Just check the texture before seasoning, it should stay creamy without being runny.

How should I present cervelle de canut for a cocktail party?

Serve it in a nice bowl surrounded by toasts, or spread it on the toasts ahead of time for a bite sized format. A pinch of chives on top instantly makes it look more polished.

Can I double the recipe for a bigger crowd?

Yes, the recipe doubles or triples easily, just keep the same ratio of fromage blanc, cream and herbs. You'll just need a bigger strainer for draining.

What bread works if I don't have a baguette?

A country loaf or a whole grain bread sliced thin works just as well, as long as you toast it properly. The key is a bread that stays crisp under the cervelle de canut.

Can cervelle de canut with toasts be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 15 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 4 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make cervelle de canut with toasts?

Allow 2 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 15 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in cervelle de canut with toasts?

About 130 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does cervelle de canut with toasts cost?

About €0.80 per person, that's €4.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, gluten. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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