Spring Into Fall

Cucumber sandwiches may seem an odd choice for a social function this time of year, when it’s almost fall. However, it’s technically still summer, cucumbers are still readily available at farmer’s markets around here, and they’re so delicious, they make great little nibblers no matter the season! Have I convinced you? Well, at any rate, I convinced myself! I made them for a ladies’ event at my church this afternoon, the perfect excuse to pull out a dainty little recipe like this.

These cute little sandwiches are particularly perfect for ladies’ events, at least according to my DH, who considers them “frou-frou” food. I don’t know exactly what “frou-frou” food is, but apparently it is not manly enough for him to even consider consuming, even if he could eat cucumbers. Lucky for him, I wouldn’t even consider putting this on the menu for dinner, but it’s the perfect choice for a “frou-frou” social function: it’s inexpensive but elegant, easy to make, and quite delicious!

I’ve had all kinds of cucumber sandwiches in my life: they vary tremendously depending on the type of bread that’s used and the spread, as well as the way the cucumbers are sliced and/or presented. They’re always tasty little morsels, no matter what, but I’ve settled on the following method because I like it and it works for me! Other people seem to enjoy them too, and I think it’s the flavor in the cream cheese spread, which, incidentally makes a great spread for bagels or wraps, too! For the freshest and most delicious flavor, use fresh herbs, but don’t be afraid to use dried if that’s all you have. I forgot to pick up some fresh dill when making these, so I just use dried and they were still very good.

You can use any bread for this recipe, including strong flavored bread like pumpernickel or rye. I used a freshly baked loaf of artisan bread in the ones I made today, but pretty much anything except store-bought sandwich bread will work.

Frou-Frou Cucumber Sandwiches
1 loaf bread
1 medium cucumber, sliced fairly thin
4 oz cream cheese
2 TBSP plain yogurt
2 TBSP chopped spring onion
1 TBSP fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
1 TBSP fresh chopped parsley (or 1 dried)
1/2-1 clove garlic, minced (adjust to taste)

Slice the bread and cut into small shapes (bite-size or a little larger – I used a small biscuit cutter). Soften the cream cheese and blend it well with the yogurt, using an electric mixer. Add onion, garlic and herbs and mix until well blended. If you have time, refrigerate for a few hours or overnight to blend flavors. Assemble the sandwiches by spreading a small amount of the cream cheese spread on each piece of bread (about a teaspoon should do it). Cut the cucumber to fit on the bread and press lightly into the cream cheese spread. Top with a sprig of dill or parsley for an extra-special elegant touch. These are best served right away, so assemble them as close as possible to serving time.

There are a lot of things you can do with the cucumber, depending on the size of your cucumber and the size of your bread pieces. Simple rounds or half moons work well, and my personal favorite is the twist, which you can see here. As you can see in the picture above, I made little bow ties, or “butterflies” as my DH called them (still on the frou-frou kick…). Check out this link for some super innovative and creative cucumber garnishes.

Unless you make the bread from scratch, this recipe comes together very QUICKly. Even if you do make the bread, each separate item in this recipe (bread, cucumber, spread) can be made in your spare time during the days ahead of your planned event. For example, I made the bread one afternoon and sliced it, then one night before I went to bed I mixed up the spread and sliced the cucumbers. I kept the spread and cucumbers in the fridge and then assembled them just before leaving for the gathering.

I love EASY recipes that still look elegant and taste delicious, and this is one of them! You don’t have to be a gourmet chef or know your way around the kitchen blindfolded to be able to make these tasty little nibbles.

It’s very CHEAP, too, IF you buy the cucumber in season and buy the cream cheese on sale. I’ve found that Trader Joe’s has the cheapest regular price ($1.50/8oz) for cream cheese in the area, so if it’s not on sale and I don’t have any on hand, that’s where I buy it. Considering I only used part of the cucumber and part of the cream cheese, and the rest of the ingredients came from my pantry, I would say I spent a dollar or less on the entire platter of appetizers. Pretty cheap!

It’s HEALTHY, too, if the bread is a healthy whole-grain bread. Cream cheese is not high on the list of healthiest foods, but it’s not high on the list of evil foods, either, at least in small quantities like this. The cucumbers and fresh herbs and vegetables certainly add some nutritional benefit as well, so you don’t have to feel guilty about eating a few of these little morsels.

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