The latest issue of Tea Time magazine has some interesting twists on an old standby of the afternoon tea menu – the cucumber. The article, "Cool Cucumber" introduces a variety of recipes for using cucumbers for both savory and sweet treats that promise to be nice and yummy. Here are two:
"Cucumber and Cantaloupe Bites
Makes 24 bites
1 large English cucumber
1 (4-ounce) package goat cheese
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cantaloupe, halved and seeded
Garnish: fresh mint
Using a channel knife, score cucumber lengthwise from end to end. Trim ends; cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Using a teaspoon, remove and discard seeds. Place cucumber halves on paper towels, and drain, cut side down, for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, chives, parsley dill, garlic salt, and pepper. Using an electric mixer at medium seed, beat until smooth.
Fill a pastry bag with cheese mixture. Evenly pipe mixture into both halves of the cucumber. Place halves back together and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for 2 hours.
Using a melon baller, remove balls of cantaloupe; cut each ball into quarters. Remove cucumber from refrigerator. Slice into ½-inch rounds. Gently place cut cantaloupe on cucumber slices. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.
Note: Reserve remaining melon for another use."
"Cooling Summer Tea
Makes 1 gallon
1 cup black tea, brewed strong
1 whole English cucumber, pureed and strained (about 1 cup juice)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons pink lemonade flavored drink mix
10 cups of water
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
"In a large pitcher, combine the tea, cucumber juice, and drink mix; stir until well combined. Add the water; chill. Serve over ice with cucumber slices."
--Tea Time May-June 2008, p. 20.
Visit the Tea Time web site for the featured recipe, Cucumber Melon Salata:
Please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality for links to other participants in the Tea Blog-a-Thon.
4 comments:
Wow! Both of those recipes sound wonderful! I'll have to try them... even though I won't be having a tea party anytime soon... :)
Your recipes are wonderful, especially the cooling summer tea. The addition of cucumber to this recipe sounds refreshing and soothing. Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you posted --- even though late. Did you remember to add this post to the Mr. Linky for the Sweet and Savory week? If not, please do, as it gives you 'one more chance' for the drawing next week.
LaTeaDah
PS: I'm curious to know more about the Vintage Thingies Thursday. It sounds fun!
perfect recipes for our summer heat. I will have to give them a try
Sounds very refreshing! Thanks for sharing!
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