Last week I hosted a game night at my house for some of the parents’ from my son’s Coop Preschool. We are starting a new tradition to get together as parents once a month (or more) and just socialize, bond and make new friendships.
It was a lot of fun, wine was flowing, moms were relaxed and there were more snacks than we could possibly eat. I didn’t have much time to prepare anything in advance and felt like something light and refreshing.
We have been having unbelievably gorgeous weather in Seattle and when the warm sun is shining this early in the Spring, all I want is light food.
This little cucumber and lox appetizer was born out of my desire to make something super light and being pretty short on time. It’s easy, super healthy, low in Points Plus, Gluten Free, Grain Free and can be made ahead of time.
I picked up Persian Cucumbers from Trader Joe’s along with a 4-ounce package of Wild Smoked Salmon, some dill and a tub of organic cream cheese.
These bites came together very quickly and held up perfectly in the fridge (uncovered) until all the ladies arrived a couple of hours later. They were a big hit and gone before we even started playing our first game so clearly a success.
NOTES:
- If you can’t find Persian Cucumbers, I suggest substituting an English Cucumber and cutting much thinner rounds (1/4″ thick) because they will be so much larger in diameter.
- I used Wild Smoked Salmon – specifically Wild Nova Smoked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon from Trader Joe’s. It comes pre-sliced and is a great value.
- I only wound up using 5-ounces of the 8-ounces of Dill Cream Cheese so that is what I calculated for the Weight Watchers Points Plus through eTools. I saved the rest. Don’t try to make less though, particularly if you are planning on piping the cream cheese. It’s very difficult to work with exact amounts when piping (always better to have more) and you may use a bit more depending on the size of your cucumbers so be sure to re-calculate if this is the case.
- If you are not familiar with how to use a Piping Bag, Martha Stewart has a very quick tutorial that covers the basics.
- ALTERNATE ASSEMBLY: If you don’t have a piping bag, I suggest using a butter knife or cheese spreader to spread the Dill Cream Cheese on the cucumber rounds first. Then layer the smoked salmon on top and finish by lying a piece of the fresh dill on top of the salmon.
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Cucumber and Lox Appetizer. Gluten Free Appetizer.
- 1 pound organic Persian cucumbers washed, ends trimmed and sliced into 3/4" rounds
- 4 ounces pre-sliced Wild Smoked Salmon
- 8 ounce package organic cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill leaves plus more for garnish
- pinch kosher salt
- pinch freshly ground black pepper
Clean cucumbers, trim ends and evenly cut into 3/4" rounds.
Cut the smoked salmon into evenly sized pieces so that they will fit on top of the cucumber rounds. Place the cucumber rounds on a serving tray and top with the salmon pieces. Use up all the salmon. I put about two pieces per cucumber round.
Combine the cream cheese, dill leaves, salt and pepper in the body of a food processor or blender. Process until well combined and softened.
Use a piping bag (I used Wilton Tip #21) to evenly distribute the Dill Cream Cheese onto the rounds. (See NOTES if you do not have a piping bag).
Finish by placing a small sprig of fresh dill on top of each round and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve and Enjoy!
Recipe Makes Approximately 45 Pieces (depending on size of cucumbers)
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Has anyone tried these with non dairy cream cheese, like Tofutti? I’d like to try to make them more Paleo.
I haven’t but i have a friend that did and she said she need to up the spices and dill to sort of conceal the flavor! I hope it works for you 🙂
These look like the perfect nibbly for the baby shower I’m hosting on Saturday. Can they be made the night before, or should I wait until the morning of the shower?
Hi Amy!
I would wait until the morning of the shower so the cucumbers don’t get that dry, dehydrated look where they have been sliced. Have a great baby shower 🙂
Thanks, Mave!
These were divine! I used english cucumbers and topped each with 2 capers and a sliver of green onion for garnish! New favorite snack.
Love the addition of capers and green onion!! So glad you loved them 🙂
These are so simple and perfect. Great for a brunch of shower!
Exactly! And, they can be made ahead of time!
Thanks for sharing these with us last night. They were delicious! I am pretty sure I will find a reason to make them myself in the near future. 🙂
Thank you Rose! It was really nice to meet you – have a great weekend 🙂
Yum, this looks delicious! Sweet cucumbers bites! I’m definately making these. Thanks!
Love simple and elegant appetizers like this one, all spruced up with piped cream cheese! YUMMY!!!
Me too Kiran!
Gosh, nice and flavorful. And healthy! These are a terrific idea. I rarely see Persian cukes, but the English ones are always available, so that’s what I’ll use. Thanks for this.
I think they will be great with the English John!
What perfect little spring bites, Alyssa! So crunchy and delicious. I have some Persian cucumbers and will have to make some. Sounds like a fun parent gathering!
It was fun Hannah! I love board games and am looking forward to when my son is a bit older so we can play as a family 🙂
Love this!
Such a terrific combo of flavors…I wonder why you weren’t feeling like slaving in the kitchen this day…did you have a late night the evening before?
🙂
Seriously woman – you are trouble! 😉
These little bites have all of my favorite things in one convenient package! What’s not to LOVE?!
Right? I have a dinner party to attend tomorrow night with a bunch of food bloggers and I am supposed to bring a side dish but I am thinking about bringing a batch of these because they are so good!
What a perfect bite-sized snack!!
The best part is how low in Points and Calories they are! You could eat 10 of these before you get to 4 Points Plus!
Alyssa,
Wow, these look great! I’m crazy tempted to mix in some capers and Everything seasoning–though I am starting to dream that I found it at a Marshall’s since I haven’t seen it since–with the cream cheese. I know the combo works, because I love to make sushi with those ingredients, but these look so much cuter than my sushi!
Thanks!
Thanks Kirsten – I love little bites like this that are easy to make and still elegant!
I need to join your parents group – these are great!
Thanks 🙂
That sounds like so much fun! And these little bites look perfect for the sunny Spring weather we’ve been experiencing over the last few days – so light and refreshing!
Glad to hear Spring has finally made it’s way there for you! That snow was really starting to pile up!