Take advantage of summer’s bounty with this refreshing, simple appetizer: cucumber rounds topped with a flavorful herbed cream cheese.
This post was produced as part of the Kraft Tastemakers program. All opinions are my own.
Summer always sparks my creativity in the kitchen. With fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs everywhere, it’s easy and inspiring to put together quick, delicious dishes. And when the weather is hot, I’m usually looking for recipes that are fast and don’t keep me stuck in the kitchen.
Because summer produce is so abundant and flavorful, you can assemble wonderful bites with very little work. A quick stop at a roadside stand or farmer’s market will often supply everything you need for a satisfying seasonal appetizer.
One of our favorite starters — for casual family meals or for entertaining — is cucumber rounds topped with a whipped, herbed cream cheese. Crisp cucumbers are lovely on their own, but a dollop of Philadelphia cream cheese whipped with fresh dill (or other herbs), a bit of garlic and onion, and a splash of pickle juice turns them into a classic and irresistible summer treat. The whole process takes about ten minutes from start to finish, and most of the work can be done a day ahead.
I often whip the cream cheese, load it into a disposable pastry bag (or a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off), and refrigerate it until party time. When guests arrive, I simply slice chilled cucumbers, arrange them on a platter, and pipe or squeeze the herbed cheese onto each round. It’s fresh, fast, and perfect for warm-weather entertaining.
If that doesn’t sound like an ideal summer appetizer, I don’t know what would!
Preparation and serving notes:
- You can use any variety of Philadelphia Cream Cheese; I like Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Plain for this recipe.
- If you don’t have a pastry bag, fill a zipper-top bag with the cream cheese, seal it, and snip a corner to create an instant disposable piping bag.
- Don’t pipe the cream cheese onto cucumbers more than a few minutes before serving; cucumbers can weep, and the topping may slide off if left too long.
- Feel free to substitute or combine herbs. Fresh dill is my favorite, but parsley or chervil also work well.
- This recipe is great for picnics. Pack sliced cucumbers in a zipper bag and keep the herbed cream cheese separate in another bag or container in a cooler. Snip the bag and squeeze the topping onto the slices when ready to serve.
Cucumber Rounds with Herbed Cream Cheese
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber seedless, well chilled
- 1 brick Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8 oz, any variety, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup minced fresh dill weed or a combination of dill, parsley, or chervil — or 1½ tablespoons dried
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
- ¾ teaspoon granulated onion or onion powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 green onion green part only, minced
Instructions
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In a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or in a bowl with a sturdy spoon, combine the softened cream cheese, dill, pickle juice, granulated onion (or onion powder), granulated garlic (or garlic powder), and freshly ground black pepper. Mix on high (or stir vigorously by hand) until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Transfer the herbed cream cheese to a pastry bag fitted with a tip, a zipper-top bag (with a corner snipped off), or a covered bowl. Refrigerate for at least one hour to chill and allow flavors to meld.
To serve:
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Slice the chilled cucumber into ¼-inch thick rounds. Pipe, squeeze, or spread the herbed cream cheese into the center of each round. Serve immediately.
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Store any leftover herbed cream cheese tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 46mg
Potassium: 66mg
Vitamin A: 285IU
Vitamin C: 1.6mg
Calcium: 20mg
Iron: 0.2mg
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use if needed.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and use #foodiewithfamily so I can see your version!
Looking for more picnic-friendly ideas? Check recipes from trusted sources for more summer entertaining inspiration.
Disclosure: I am part of the Kraft Tastemakers team. All recipes and opinions are my own.