These are fantastic for a number of reasons... Beautifully colorful, a real standout of a dish. Easy, Really Really DIY Easy to make and cost effective, The whole tray of about 36 appetizers will come in at about a quarter each!
Perfect dish for a catering appetizer or side dish, Great for a pass a plate PotLuck event or any big family gathering.
I have posted this recipe before, but I just Goosed it up a bit for the Holidays.
A little garnish of Holly (handy to have a Holly bush in my back yard this time of year). the addition of chopped Pisatchios adds an extra bit of green Holiday color on the platter as well as a little crunch of texture to the bites.
Just looks a bit more special as we get into the season of celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus... Be Festive, Joy to the World (and add joy to your food).
Only a couple of special needs... A small amount of skills with a piping bag to get the swirly star affect in the Cream Cheese. And a melon baller to remove a portion of the cucumber slices.
Be Festive and ENJOY!
Merry Christmas!
OK... Here's what I did...
Cucumber Bites with
Herb Cream Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes
Herb Cream Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
- FOR THE HERB CREAM CHEESE - 4 Ounces (1 Brick) Cream Cheese, Softened to room temperature
- 1/4 Cup Ranch Dressing (Yes, good old Hidden Valley)
- 2 TBS Dill (can use other spices... Thyme is excellent also)
- 3-4 Long Cucumbers. skinned and Slice into thirty 1 inch slices
- 15 Cherry Tomatoes, sliced in half
- Additional Sprinkle of Salt (to Taste, Careful, little goes a long way)
- Additional Sprinkle of Spice (same as used in Cream Cheese) for Garnish
- Additional Sprinkle of Paprika OR a Cajun Spice Mix (optional) for Garnish (and an extra kick if you use the Cajun Mix)
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Pistachios to sprinkle over the platter. Some on each "Bite" but also some to garnish the bottom of the tray to add a little extra something/something
- First, Make up the HERB CREAM CHEESE, in a stand mixer, mix the softened Cream Cheese with the Ranch dressing and herbs. Mix until well combined. Spoon into a piping bag with a star tip.
- Prepare the Cucumber, remove peel, Using a fork, score the sides. Slice into 1 inch pieces. Using a melon Baller, remove a portion of the center of one side of the piece of cucumber, leaving a half moon crater.
- Pipe the Herb Cream Cheese into the crater. Enough to stick out of the top about 1/2 inch.
- Add a half Cherry Tomato partially buried into the Herb Cream Cheese
- Sprinkle additional salt, herbs and spice mix for additional color.
- Add the Pistachios, being careful that a few pieces are on each "Bite", but also to cover the platter floor for an extra bit of Pinache! Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve Chilled and ENJOY!
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