Cucumber Toasties
For several years now, Cucumber Toasties has been my go-to recipe for things like baby showers and church luncheons where I am expected to bring a dish for a light lunch. I love this recipe because cucumber and dill are so fresh and yummy, but this recipe is also SUPER easy to make and yet it looks like fancy finger food. Perfect for high tea or a ladies social.
The ingredients are simple. To make cucumber toasties, you need:
- 1 or 2 cucumbers {depends on your slice size}
- 1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 packet of Italian dressing mix
- dill, fresh or freeze fried, though I prefer freeze dried as I've sometimes gotten fresh "dull dill" that doesn't taste like anything
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2" slices {save yourself the trouble and ask the bakery at the grocery store to slice it for you, they have super fast machines that can do it in a flash}
Now, you can toast your baguette slices if you want to, and I'd suggest doing this if you're making the cucumber toasties several hours in advance, so as not to get them soggy. I prefer a softer bread, so I haven't bothered. But 5 minutes in an oven at 400 degrees would be perfect if you like a more crunchy toastie.
If you have an electric slicer, awesome! That will make slicing your cucumbers very easy. If not, no problem, I've done it both ways just fine. Grab a knife and slice up your cucumbers as thin as you can manage. They don't have to be perfectly sliced. No one will notice.
To make the spread, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and the Italian seasoning packet together in a bowl. I usually add half the Italian dressing seasoning, then mix to taste. You can add as much or as little as you like.
Of course, some just top their toastie with a slice of cucumber, but why not fancy it up a bit, eh?
Blimey! There is nothin' be'er van a fancied up cucumber toastie fer a party, am I right? Of caaahrse I am. Nuff said, yeah?
{That's my Cockney accent, right there. You're welcome. I learned Cockney when I played Dotty in Noises Off in high school. Funniest play ever. You should check out the movie with Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Carol Burnett--love her--and John Ritter. It's hysterical. Anyway, this cucumber toastie reminds me of England and tea sandwiches so it reminds me of being Dotty...and having to say "SARDINES" a million times during that show with a Cockney accent. SAAAHR-dines}.
Back to the toasties...
The fancy twist is easy: cut half the cucumber slice in half. Wait, does that even make sense? HALF IN HALF? Cut a slice through half the half. Not all the way. Just half. I'm confused.
Then twist it, one side to the right, one side to the left, and you get a twist "S" shape. Press it down onto the spread, it sticks nicely.
You can do one slice or two. I like two slices for each toastie. Because cucumber and fancy.
Last step, my favorite. Take your dill...
And sprinkle it just like you were a fairy sprinkling your fairy dust. Get it all over those toasties. Dill is important, people.
Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate until it's time to serve your fancy Cucumber Toasties! Just like they have in their secret fancy tea parties in England with the queen, what, with their lady fingers and cream...think they're better than us, do they? {Along with their SAAAHR-dines.}
It never fails me, this recipe. Every time I make it I get people hounding me for the recipe. I refuse to give it to them. It's a secret family recipe. I'll never share it.
Cheers,
Heather
2 *´¯`* ℓσvεℓү cσммεηтs *´¯`*
These look so good! I usually make cucumber sandwiches on white bread with cream cheese + ranch seasoning. I might have to try these, I never thought to use italian in it!
ReplyDeletexo,
Kay
www.whitetrashfairytale.com
Yum!!! I love cucumber and dill. I've made a super yummy greek salad before with that same combo, it was delicious! I'm going to pin this and try it next time we have a get together.
ReplyDeleteLark & Lola love hearing from you!