Ingredients
- Cucumber:Â The star of the show! Choose firm, dark green cucumbers for the best texture and flavor. English cucumbers are particularly great as they have fewer seeds and thinner skin, but any variety will work.
- Cream Cheese: Provides the creamy base for our spread. Full-fat cream cheese offers the richest flavor and texture, but you can use reduced-fat if you prefer a lighter option. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Fresh Dill:Â Adds a bright, slightly tangy, and grassy flavor that complements the cucumber and cream cheese beautifully. Fresh dill is essential for the best taste; dried dill is not a good substitute here.
- Fresh Chives:Â Lends a mild oniony and slightly garlicky flavor. Chives are delicate and add a subtle sharpness that enhances the overall taste of the spread.
- Fresh Parsley:Â Brings a fresh, slightly peppery, and clean taste. Parsley adds a lovely herbaceousness and also contributes to the vibrant green color of the spread. Flat-leaf parsley (Italian parsley) is generally preferred for its stronger flavor, but curly parsley will also work.
- Lemon Juice:Â A touch of acidity is crucial to balance the richness of the cream cheese and brighten the herb flavors. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best for a clean, zesty taste.
- Garlic Powder:Â Provides a subtle savory depth and warmth to the spread without overpowering the fresh herbs. Garlic powder is preferred over fresh garlic in this recipe for a smoother texture and more even flavor distribution.
- Salt:Â Enhances all the flavors and is essential for bringing out the best in the herbs and cream cheese. Use sea salt or kosher salt for the best flavor.
- Black Pepper:Â Adds a hint of spice and complexity to the spread. Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the most aromatic and flavorful result.
- Optional Garnishes: Consider adding a sprinkle of paprika for color, a drizzle of olive oil for richness, or a few extra fresh herb sprigs for visual appeal.
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumber: Begin by washing the cucumber thoroughly under cold running water. Pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Using a sharp knife, trim off both ends of the cucumber. Now, decide on the thickness of your cucumber bites. For a delicate appetizer, aim for slices that are about ¼ to ⅓ inch thick. For a heartier bite, you can go slightly thicker, around ½ inch. Slice the cucumber into uniform rounds. If you are using a larger cucumber with many seeds, you might want to scoop out the seeds from the center of each slice using a small spoon or a melon baller. This will prevent the bites from becoming watery and improve the texture.
- Soften the Cream Cheese:Â It is crucial that your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth, creamy spread. If you forgot to take it out of the refrigerator in advance, you can speed up the process by unwrapping the cream cheese and placing it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it in short 10-15 second intervals on low power, checking after each interval until it is softened but not melted. Alternatively, you can place the wrapped cream cheese in a bowl of warm water for about 10-15 minutes.
- Chop the Fresh Herbs:Â While the cream cheese is softening, prepare your fresh herbs. Rinse the dill, chives, and parsley under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly. Remove any thick stems from the parsley and dill. Gather the herbs together and finely chop them using a sharp knife or herb chopper. The finer you chop the herbs, the more evenly they will disperse throughout the cream cheese spread and the better the overall flavor will be.
- Combine the Ingredients for the Spread:Â In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese. Using a fork or a hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until it is light and fluffy. This will make it easier to incorporate the other ingredients and result in a smoother, more airy spread. Add the finely chopped fresh dill, chives, and parsley to the bowl with the cream cheese. Pour in the fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix the Creamy Herb Spread:Â Using a fork or a spatula, gently mix all the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese. Taste the spread and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You might want to add a little more lemon juice for extra tanginess, more salt for flavor enhancement, or a pinch of black pepper for a bit more spice.
- Assemble the Cucumber Bites: Now it’s time to assemble your cucumber bites. Take each cucumber slice and place it on a serving platter or a cutting board. Using a small spoon, a butter knife, or a piping bag, carefully spread a generous amount of the creamy herb spread onto each cucumber slice. Ensure that the spread is evenly distributed and covers most of the cucumber surface. You can be creative with how you apply the spread. For a rustic look, simply dollop it on. For a more elegant presentation, you can use a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip to pipe swirls or rosettes of the spread onto the cucumber slices.
- Garnish (Optional):Â For an extra touch of visual appeal and flavor, you can garnish your cucumber bites. A light sprinkle of paprika will add a pop of color. A drizzle of high-quality olive oil will enhance the richness and flavor. You can also garnish with a few small sprigs of fresh dill, parsley, or chives placed on top of the spread. Another option is to finely chop some extra herbs and sprinkle them over the bites.
- Chill and Serve: Once assembled and garnished, the cucumber bites are best served chilled. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumber to remain crisp. If you are not serving them immediately, cover the platter of cucumber bites loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour before serving. Chilling also helps the cream cheese spread to firm up slightly, making the bites easier to handle. Serve the Cucumber Bites with Creamy Herb Spread chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 6g