My Mom’s Retro 3-Ingredient Appetizer Is a Family Favorite

As a kid, my dad loved introducing me to all the unique, smelly, and delicious cheeses—everything from Gorgonzola to firm-aged Gouda. My mother, however, wasn’t a fan of these bold cheeses. But Boursin? Now that was a cheese she could get behind. She loved its whipped, smooth texture and delicate blend of herbs.

Her favorite was the one with cracked black pepper. Like most things she created in the kitchen, she liked to add a bit of our cultural heritage to a dish that seemed European to her. And that’s how my Ami’s appetizer came to be.

She loved smearing cracked black pepper Boursin onto a Ritz cracker and adding a dollop of mango chutney from a jar on top. It’s the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, and tangy—simple but so elegant.

Ami loved to serve these little bites at her tea parties alongside cucumber sandwiches and chana chaat, but they also doubled as my go-to after-school snack. Now, I make this retro appetizer when I want something nostalgic, easy, and just a little fancy. I find it particularly lovely with a chilled glass of bubbly when I have guests over. 

The Key Ingredients

This takes no time to come together. You only need three ingredients:

• Boursin cheese: Cracked black pepper is my nostalgic favorite, but garlic and fine herbs or caramelized onion and herbs will work here, too.
• Mango chutney: Look for the jarred kind in South Asian grocery stores or the condiment and sauces aisle of your local supermarket. Or you can make your own.
• Ritz crackers: I love the buttery crunch of the classic Ritz, but you can swap these out for other crackers or even thinly sliced cucumbers if you are in the mood for something lighter. 

How To Make My Ami’s 3-Ingredient Appetizer

For about 12 pieces, you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup Boursin (any flavor)
• 12 Ritz crackers
• 1/4 cup mango chutney

Take the Boursin out of the fridge at least 30 minutes in advance to bring it to room temperature so it spreads easily.

Spread about a teaspoon of cheese onto each cracker. Then, top with a dollop of that beautiful mango chutney, arrange on a plate, and serve! If you want to get fancier, you can adorn it with chives or any fresh herb you love. 

Quick Tips

• You’ll want to assemble these close to serving time—30 minutes in advance is okay. This will keep everything fresh and prevent the crackers from going soggy. 
• Instead of Ritz crackers, you can use Triscuits (another fave of mine), water crackers, or veggies like cucumber slices or endive leaves.
• If you find that assembling the crackers is too fiddly, you can place the Boursin in a shallow bowl or on a platter and pour the mango chutney over the top. Serve with grissini, potato chips, pita crackers, mini naan, endive leaves, and sliced Granny Smith apples for a beautiful dip. Your guests can swipe or dip as they like.