DEAR FRIENDS!
Entertaining this weekend? Wow them with these summer spreads. Both double as a spread for sandwiches and as a cocktail spread or dip.
Serve the Cucumber Spread on crostini or white bread rounds with fresh tomato garnished with dill or use as a spread for tomato or turkey sandwiches. Once you make the Three Cheese Pimento Cheese, you may never buy store bought again. Think BLT’s or burgers, grilled pimento cheese, grilled bacon and pimento cheese, pimento cheese melted on crostini. The possibilities are endless … just like I wish summer could be!
Happy Summer from our family to yours!
Cucumber Spread
SERVES 10–12 Inspired by Southern Living
INGREDIENTS
8-oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups unpeeled, chopped Persian cucumbers*
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
3 ½ tsp chopped fresh dill
3 tsp dried mint
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
*See TIPS & QUIPS below for more on Persian Cucumbers.
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients.
To serve, spread on crostini or white bread rounds with tomatoes and garnished with fresh dill or use as spread with tomato or turkey sandwiches.
DEEDEE’S NOTES
- I recommend Persian cucumbers, which are small, thin, and usually sold packaged, vs. loose, in your produce section. They’re also firm, crisp, and taste amazing. The skin is edible, not like the thick, waxy skin on your standard variety.
Three Cheese Pimento Cheese
SERVES 10–12 Inspired by Southern Living
INGREDIENTS
8-oz sharp white cheddar cheese, grated*
4-oz Gouda cheese, grated*
4-oz goat cheese, crumbled
½–1 cup mayonnaise
1 4-oz jar diced pimento, drained
½–1 tbsp hot sauce
1 tsp McCormick Seasoned Salt
½ tsp pepper
Best to grate your own cheese rather than use pre-packaged, which comes with additives to keep it from clumping.
*See TIPS & QUIPS.
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients. Season with hot sauce to taste.
Delish on BLT’s or burgers, grilled pimento cheese, grilled bacon and pimento cheese, pimento cheese melted on crostini.
DEEDEE’S NOTES
- Avoid using pre-packaged grated cheese as it comes with additives to keep it from clumping. To make grating easier and safer, use a box grater with cut resistant gloves. See Sources & Resources. You can also use a food processor which will make the cheese grating even more … effortless!
Printer-Friendly Recipes:
Cucumber Spread Recipe | Three Cheese Pimento Cheese Recipe
TIPS & QUIPS
Persian Cucumber
Persian Cucumbers are small, thin, and usually sold packaged, vs. loose, in your produce section. They’re also firm, crisp, and taste amazing. The skin is edible, not like the thick, waxy skin on your standard variety.
Cut Resistant Gloves
For Pimento Cheese, rather than buying pre-packaged grated, which comes with additives to keep it from clumping, grate your own. Two ideas to make this easier. If using a box grater, be sure to use steel mesh gloves. If you’re making a double batch, use a food processor with the grater disc and this step will take no time at all. You don’t even need to wash between the two types of cheeses because they will be mixed together anyway!
Dowellife’s Cut Resistant Gloves
DeeDee is the author of Effortless Entertaining, Open Your Home, Open Your Heart, and Give the Gift of Hospitality, your complete and beautiful guide for entertaining easily and graciously in your home with inspiring ideas and practical resources. DeeDee also speaks to groups of women sharing her Ten Steps To Effortless Entertaining.
To learn more about Effortless Entertaining or to invite DeeDee to speak, visit MyEffortlessEntertaining.com or email DeeDee@MyEffortlessEntertaining.com
