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We don’t entertain like we used to.  Once you move around from state to state, and your kids are grown, it makes it harder to retain the life-long friendships.  We also live in a very transient area with lots of military and government employees.  People come and people go, and not many stay for the long haul.  That being said, we do have a few good friends … we love to schedule time with whenever possible.  Two of our favorite people are moving back from a three year adventure in Sicily.  We didn’t make it over to see them, which we’re regretting terribly about now.  We are thrilled they’re coming back and hope to enjoy some casual Saturday night dinners (complete with Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Cream Cheese Appetizers) or concerts in the park in the near future!
Since I am a “GRITS” (girl raised in the south) I have an inherent and sincere love of cucumber and cream cheese tea-sandwiches.  They are often served at bridal or baby showers and most any other proper lady gathering involving tea.  While sitting on our back deck drinking a cold beer with friends is not the most lady-like thing I’ve ever done, these Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Cream Cheese Appetizers will add a refined touch of deliciousness to any gathering.  They’re not fru-fru appetizers but hearty and full of amazing, creamy flavor. My husband and son both loved the sandwiches so these are just not for the ladies.  They are incredibly simple to make and the cream cheese & cucumber base can be made a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve.
Some recipes for cucumber cream cheese sandwiches are just that … cucumbers and cream cheese. Â This recipe is very different with the cucumber shredded on a box grater and marinated in fresh lemon juice and cider vinegar along with minced red onion, sugar and salt. Â Once the cucumbers have released their water, the mixture is strained then blended with room temperature cream cheese. Â Shredded cucumbers are brilliant!
Spread the cream cheese and cucumber mixture over toasted whole grain bread and top with sliced cucumbers, smoked salmon, capers and a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper and good sea salt. Â We have a winner!
You don’t have to wait for company to try this recipe as it makes a wonderful light lunch. Â Serve with a tossed salad and you have lunch for four!
Use your favorite whole grain bread making sure it’s substantial enough to hold the toppings.  Lightly toasting the bread gives it a wonderful flavor without overpowering the salty capers and the smooth cream cheese.
If your guests don’t care for smoked salmon, serve the sandwiches topped with a slice of cucumber and a dash of freshly ground pepper for an equally wonderful treat.
Don’t skimp on the smoked salmon – be sure to buy the good stuff.  Wild caught salmon is worth every penny!
Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Cream Cheese Appetizers
Ingredients
- 1 large seedless English Cucumber divided
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons finely minced red onion
- 8 slices whole grain bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for toasting the bread
- 6 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 scallion finely chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon capers for garnish
- Fluer de sel (French sea salt for garnish)
- 6-8 ounces Wild Caught Smoked Salmon
Instructions
- Cut the cucumber in half. Peel one half of the cucumber. Slice the remaining half (with peel) of the cucumber in thin slices and set aside.
- Using a box grater, coarsely grate the peeled cucumber lengthwise, stopping when you get to the seedy center. Scrape the grated cucumber in a small mixing bowl and stir in the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt and red onion. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Brush the sliced bread on one side with the olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Broil in the oven until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Strain the cucumbers through a fine mesh sieve and press gently to remove all the excess liquid. Return the drained cucumber to the small mixing bowl and blend with the softened cream cheese and minced scallion.
- To serve divide the cream cheese mixture on the bread. Top with cucumber slices, smoke salmon, capers and a sprinkle of flour de sel and fresh ground black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
I hope all the moms had a wonderful Mother’s Day! Â I was able to see both my children this weekend which was a wonderful treat. Â My grandson Isaac has started calling me Mam since he can’t say Gram. Â I think I like it! Â My husband worked very hard on the garden, planting tomatoes and cucumbers. Â We have some more work to do and lots more to plant so stay tuned for more garden-to-table posts! Â Thanks so much for stopping by and happy Monday!
Tricia
Lindsey McLeod
what do you do with the lemon juice? It is not in the directions.
Lindsey
Tricia Buice
Hi Lindsey. The lemon juice is added to the cucumber with the vinegar. Sorry I missed that and thanks for letting me know. Did you give the recipe 3 stars because of my error, or did you try it and think it was just okay?
Christina @ Christina's Cucina
These are absolutely beautiful and I can almost taste them now! I can guarantee I will be making these very, very soon! Gorgeous photos!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook
Oh Tricia. You made me hungry. These look so good. An now I’m thinking bagels. But these are so delicate and light and perfect for an appetizer. I know what you mean about friends. Our circles have shrunk over the years. There seem to be a lot more acquaintances than true friends. Sicily will still be there.
Tricia Buice
Bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon is a wonderful breakfast, lunch or dinner! The cucumber really changes it up but both are outstanding sandwiches. Have a wonderful weekend Abbe!
John/Kitchen Riffs
Good pictures! Particularly like that last one. And beer in a glass — rather than swigging it from a bottle, like I usually do — sounds pretty ladylike. 😉 Anyway, such a great dish! I’m with you — cucumber and cream cheese is a dynamite combination. Add smoked salmon and you have nitroglycerine. Good stuff — thanks.
Tricia Buice
Thanks John! I don’t always use a glass – haha – we can’t be ladylike every day!
Susan
My husband and I are huge fans of smoked salmon on rye with cream cheese and capers. I know we would love this, Tricia! The sound of the shredded cucumber in the cream cheese sounds so refresing. A nice platter of these on a hot summer night and I wouldn’t even miss dinner.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Susan – it did make a wonderful late lunch. Hope you have a lovely week.
Larry
These look totally delicious Tricia
Tricia Buice
Thanks Larry – I bet you’ve had cucumber sandwiches before 🙂
tanna
Mam! I love it. =) So glad you enjoyed time with your family on Mother’s Day!! You deserve a wonderful day with lots of love.
It will be fun to have old friends back in town. And, I know they will enjoy these treats!! Love smoked salmon and capers and cream cheese… pretty sure the cucumber cream cheese recipe you created is a keeper!! Have a wonderful week, Tricia. blessings ~ tanna
Tricia Buice
You too Tanna – hope you had a wonderful mother’s day.
Mandy
Tell you what Tricia, if I had some smoked salmon to hand, I would be making these for my lunch today.
Have a happy week.
🙂 Mandy xo
Tricia Buice
Love smoked salmon on anything! We saved a little and will have it for breakfast tomorrow. Yummy stuff!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats
Smoked salmon is my favorite food of all time! I could eat these all day long! Beautiful photos tricia!
Tricia Buice
I’m with you Cynthia – smoked salmon is great with or on just about anything. Thanks for stopping by!
Monique
Mam:)..I love it!
I bet this is so fresh..still have to try the scones first!
Tricia Buice
A friend at work said her cousin called his grandmother Honey – now that is sweet!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
Tricia, I want to come sit on your back deck and nibble on these. We’d probably never stop talking and sharing recipe ideas. They look fantastic!
Tricia Buice
Come on Chris! I would love to have a nice long visit. Thanks for stopping by!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
Tricia this is gorgeous! I love this type of food and would be happy to make it a meal. It looks so fresh and tasty. Your photos are beautiful and so alluring.
Tricia Buice
Aww thanks Toni! Hope you have a wonderful week.
michael
That’s a awesome recipe Tricia, we love it!! Debbie makes a recipe very similar, I know she uses green onions instead of red onion. It’s great with a glass of wine!! 🙂 🙂
Tricia Buice
Cucumber cream cheese sandwiches are a classic Michael! I used both red and green onions – you can never have too many onions and wine for that matter 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
As one who’s moved around a lot, I know just how you feel. I have lots of friends but not as many besties like years ago. That last photo has me swooning over here!
Tricia Buice
Glad I could make you swoon Maureen! Have a wonderful week 🙂
2 sisters recipes
These are Yummy Tricia- and we love a good smoke salmon. Fun to make too! So happy you had a great weekend and Mother’s Day!
Tricia Buice
Thank you – hope your mother’s day was awesome!~
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such lovely sandwiches and I’m in love with the flavours! I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of a cucumber cream cheese sandwich, but that’s sure to change now 🙂
Tricia Buice
Hey Jennifer – I think cucumber sandwiches are seriously southern – but you would love it!
Monica
I love smoked salmon, Tricia, and what a beautiful platter to welcome friends with. This is special while being accessible and casual at the same time and that’s just perfect for entertaining in most cases. So glad to hear some good folks are moving back to your neighborhood. I’ve had several friends move in the last few years – it’s sad! Hope you guys have a great reunion and lots of opportunities to hang out together going forward.
Tricia Buice
What a beautiful comment Monica – thank you so much! Hope you have a lovely week.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
For me this sounds like the perfect light spring dinner, we love smoked salmon in our house, and your photos and colors are spectacular – pinned!
Tricia Buice
Smoked salmon reminds us of Ireland and Iceland – those islands sure know how to eat well!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
This is the kind of sandwich I would love for my lunch! Thanks for sharing, Tricia.
Tricia Buice
It is a perfect lunch Angie – have a wonderful week!
handmade by amalia
This is just the sort of recipe I like – elegant and delicious but not too difficult.
Thanks for sharing.
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice
Thanks Amalia – have a wonderful week!
Cali @ Cali's Cuisine
I agree – good food is worth the money! Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to entertain more.
Tricia Buice
Hi Cali – thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I hope you get to make these soon – with great friends and family.