This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EasySqueezy #CollectiveBias

The open-faced sandwich is a classic of so many cuisines. In Italy they have bruschetta. In Scandanavia, smørrebrød is the name for slices of dark rye bread spread thick with butter and topped with meat, cheese or fish. (The spreading-thick-with-butter part is not optional. Smørrebrød literally translates to “butter-bread.” The butter prevents the toppings from making the bread soggy and provides a foundation for them to stick to.)

In France, an open-faced sandwich is called a tartine and it is a favorite with young and old. Traditionally, a French tartine was made only with sliced baguette topped with butter and jam or other spreadable foods like soft cheese or pâté. (The verb tartiner actually means “to spread.”) But today, the tartine really is just an open-faced sandwich spread with butter and topped with fresh, seasonal ingredients from fruit to cured meats to vegetables.

The French enjoy tartines for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack. A tartine is perfect summer eating because they are light, fresh and are at their most delicious when topped with seasonal fruit and vegetables. And they are infinitely customizable. Each member of the family can design his or her own tartine.

But there is just one problem with the otherwise perfect tartine. Cold, hard butter that won’t spread. Trying to spread straight-out-of-the-fridge butter on a slice of artisan bread will do nothing but ruin the bread. Kids especially want to be able to make their own tartines but get frustated when they can’t easily cut and spread the butter.

Happily, there is a new product from Land O’Lakes: Soft Squeeze™ Spread, in a convenient, easy-to-squeeze bottle. You did not know you needed this soft spread made with real butter, but once you try it, you won’t want to live without it. Soft Squeeze Spread is easy to squeeze on top of your favorite foods and spread right out of the refrigerator. Imagine the possibilities! Use Soft Squeeze™ Spread to top pancakes, biscuits or English muffins with no mess or crumbs.

You can find new Land O’Lakes, Soft Squeeze™ Spread at your local Walmart in the dairy aisle. Intrigued? Click on and print this coupon to save $0.50 off ONE (1) Land O Lakes® Soft Squeeze™ Spread.

I used Land O’Lakes Soft Squeeze™ Spread to create this DIY Tartine Bar, which would be a fun way to serve lunch or an afternoon snack to your family. Simply slice a crusty French loaf and lay out an array of toppings.  Then place the Land O’Lakes, Soft Squeeze™ Spread in the middle and let everyone come up with their own delicious open-faced creations!

Ideas for tartine toppings include fruits like apple, pear, or even fresh figs; roasted vegetables such as peppers or zucchini — this is a great use for leftovers, by the way; cold cuts or charcuterie; and crunchy raw vegetables like radishes or cucumber. Include chopped nuts, fresh herbs, crumbled bleu or goat cheese and sliced scallions for garnish.

Some of my favorite combinations include roast beef with red onion and dill; fresh figs with honey and chopped nuts and sliced apple with crumbled bleu cheese.

What will you top your open-faced tartines with? Besides the Land O’Lakes Soft Squeeze™ Spread, of course!