Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Cream Cheese Appetizers

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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.  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.  Once the cucumbers have released their water, the mixture is strained then blended with room temperature cream cheese.  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.  We have a winner!

You don’t have to wait for company to try this recipe as it makes a wonderful light lunch.  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

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield: 8 appetizers

Course: Appetizer

Author: Tricia

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A lovely twist on the classic Cucumber Cream Cheese sandwiches. Perfect for your next gathering or served with a small side salad for a delicious lunch!

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

Cucumber cream cheese mixture adapted from Food & Wine

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 313mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.4mg

I hope all the moms had a wonderful Mother’s Day!  I was able to see both my children this weekend which was a wonderful treat.  My grandson Isaac has started calling me Mam since he can’t say Gram.  I think I like it!  My husband worked very hard on the garden, planting tomatoes and cucumbers.  We have some more work to do and lots more to plant so stay tuned for more garden-to-table posts!  Thanks so much for stopping by and happy Monday!

Tricia