Cool As a Cucumber! Cheese, Cucumber and Chive Sandwich Spread

French Tart's Note:

A must for cool people - or those who like cucumbers! This is a very versatile sandwich spread or dip, which is so easy to whip up at the last minute; it makes VERY elegant sandwiches and is a wonderful accompaniment for smoked salmon, prawns (shrimp) or tuna. I have also used it to spread on savoury scones and crackers. If you plan to make this a day before you need to use it, you might like to salt the cucumbers first - as they do release water into the spread.

• Total Time: 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0 Rounds ...

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 medium cucumber, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 spring onion, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried mint
• salt and black pepper

Directions:

1. Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes, to soften it slightly.
2. Add all the ingredients, EXCEPT the cucumber, and mix thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then add the diced cucumber and gently fold through the mixture.Check the seasoning once more.
3. Serve as a sandwich spread or as a dip for crudites; also wonderful with crackers and scones. This spread is deleicious when served with smoked salmon and blinis.
4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reviews

[Julie B's Hive]

Used 1/3 of a European cuke leaving some of the peel on to add a bit more color to the spread I had about 3/4 cup finely diced total. I had it first (with the mint) as a sandwich spread then on melba toast (without the mint) as a late night snack. Yep, made it twice. Still iffy about the mint. TFS this scrumptious recipe. Made for Aussie/NZ RS#40.

[spiritussancto]

i found this a bit too cream cheesy as written so i went ahead and added the other half of the cuke. i also added some more onion, some garlic, and some dill. i think it might have benefited from a bit of chopped celery for texture. i went easy on the mint since my fresh stuff is quite strong. this is nice but seemed to me to be missing something that would have balanced out the flavors a bit more, maybe a little minced sun dried tomato or something. i used low fat cream cheese which is a little softer then regular so we'll see how it holds up for lunches tomorrow. i'm hoping being stiffened up by chilling will balance the liquid coming out of the cuke. might be nice with fresh basil instead of mint. reminds me a bit of egg salad crossed with cucumber cream cheese sandwiches for a fancy tea. overall this is a nice change of pace, thank you!

[Chef Regina V. Smith]

Wow. This was great! I made fancy cucumber sandwiches with this for a fancy Sunday afternoon "do". They all disappeared! Many, many compliments on this. I think the secret in this recipe is the inclusion of the mint. It is not an overpowering mint taste, but it does sharpen all of the other flavours. One batch made exactly one loaf of sandwiches (crusts cut off, of course). Thanks French Tart. You hit another one out of the park!