I love appetizers. Sometimes it’s fun to just graze on bite sized, delicious foods. One of our favorite at-home date nights is to do what I call a “Dip Dinner”. I make 2 or 3 different dips and serve them with cut veggies, chips, crackers, and other appetizers. These Cucumber Crudités are a cool bite when it’s warm outside, I make them two different ways throughout the year.
I prefer to use the Hot House English Cucumbers for these. They are crisp, and large enough to hold a nice amount of toppings. Start both recipes by peeling, and slicing the cucumbers about 1/4″ thick. Use a paper towel to dab both sides dry so they aren’t slippery.
Jump to RecipeGarden Vegetable Crudité
In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together softened cream cheese with the chopped fresh herbs. I like to use a piping bag with decorating tip 1M or 2D to pipe the Herb Cream Cheese onto the cucumber. It adds a little pizzazz! You can also just use a spoon to put a dollop of it on instead.
Wash the Grape Tomatoes and slice them into quarters. Place the cut tomato on the center of the cream cheese. Sprinkle the crudité with Tajin. This step is optional. It adds a great bite of flavor and some extra color.
Smoked Salmon Crudité
This version begins the same way. In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together softened cream cheese with the garlic, chives, and dill. I like to use a piping bag with a cake tip to pipe the Herb Cream Cheese onto the cucumber. You can also just use a spoon to put a dollop of it on instead.
Cut or tear the Smoked Salmon Lox to thin strips about 2″ long. Lay a Salmon strip on top of each crudité. Snip off small sprigs of fresh dill and put one on top of each salmon stip.
These delicious appetizers are refreshing and light. I’ve made them during the summer months and I also love to make them during the winter holidays. Play around with them and see what else you can top them with.
This is one of the recipes we made at our Super Saturday – where we made many different seasonal crafts & recipes.
Try growing your own cucumbers for some added fun! The Old Farmers Almanac has some great tips!
Garden Vegetable Crudités
Cool & refreshing, these tasty little appetizers are perfect for any season!
Ingredients
- 1 English Cucumber
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/4 C Fresh Basil, finely chopped
- 2 Tbs Fresh Chives, finely chopped
- 1 Tbs Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- Grape Tomatoes
- Tajin
Instructions
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Peel cucumber and slice into 1/4/" thick circles, dab dry with paper towel
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In a medium mixing bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, and fresh herbs. Pipe onto cucumber with piping bag, or spoon a small dollop onto cucumber.
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Top cream cheese with a piece of tomato and sprinkle with Tajin
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Crudités
These delicious, refreshing cucumber appetizers are a treat any time of the year.
Ingredients
- 1 English Cucumber
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 Tbs Fresh Garlic, minced
- 2 Tbs Fresh Chives, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Fresh Dill, finely chopped
- Smoked Salmon Lox
- Fresh Dill Sprigs
Instructions
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Peel and slice cucumber into 1/4" circles. Pat dry with a paper towel
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In a medium mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, garlic, chives, and dill. Pipe onto cucumber using a piping bag or place a dollop on top with a spoon.
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Cut Salmon lox into thin strips about 2" long and place on top of cream cheese. Top with a sprig of dill.