This Cucumber Sandwich is simply delicious. As an appetizer, snack, or main dish. This recipe is perfect for your next get together, party, mother’s day brunch, shower, or appetizer. Above all, so easy you will make this over and over. Honestly. Who doesn’t love easy?
Ingredients
I am always looking for a light appetizer or party dish. Cucumber Sandwiches fit the bill perfectly. I ran across these sandwiches in 2016 reading about the Kentucky Derby, traditionally named; Cucumber Benedictine Tea Sandwiches. It sounded delicious to me. Consequently, I had to create a vegan, gluten-free, allergy-friendly cucumber sandwich recipe.
Cooking with Karen
Creamy ingredients
Vegan cream cheese can be challenging to find, but getting easier as most grocers are adding vegan and gluten-free options. My favorite vegan mayo brand is Just Mayo. For a light truffle flavor, I used Just Mayo with truffle. I have made this dip and sandwiches with regular Just Mayo or Veganaise and it tastes just as amazing.
- Just Mayo; creamy and flavorful
- egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free
- can be difficult to find
- Hellmans Vegan Mayo; made with soy oil
- egg-free, no cholesterol, non-GMO
Star of the dish: Cucumber
Cucumber Sandwich? Yes! Cucumbers are abundant at any time of the year. Easy to find, inexpensive, nutritious, versatile, and delicious. Perfect for a sandwich. Cucumbers have a light flavor and texture. Therefore, the results of the spread are bright and delicate.
When I grate the cucumber and onion I use a traditional handheld grater. Use the medium grater side for the cucumber and the fine grater side for the onion.
Quick Tip:
Grated cucumbers release a lot of water. Before adding the shredded cucumber to the spread make sure to drain and press out any excess liquid. Hence, no runny dressing. No one wants that!
Onion
Who doesn’t love onions? The key to adding onions to any recipe is to use the proper amount. These cucumber sandwiches are light, crisp, and airy. Too much onion would take away from the cucumber. A little goes a long way. Grate it on the fine side and your guests will ask, “are there onions in this sandwich?” The answer, yes, the perfect amount.
Hint of heat
Traditional Benedictine sandwiches served at the Kentucky Derby add green food coloring to the spread. Since I wanted to keep the sandwiches fresh and organic, adding in wasabi gives a hit of green without the fake coloring. Recipes for traditional Benedictine sandwiches add spice as well. Wasabi killed two birds with one stone. Done!
- Wasabi sauce; or Japanese horseradish
- small amount packs a punch, use sparingly
- sold as a stem, fine dried powder, or ready to use paste
If you are making the spread into tea sandwiches you can add some crunch by layering with a slice of cucumber. If you don’t want to add the fresh slices you don’t have to. The traditional Cucumber Benedictine Tea Sandwiches don’t typically have the slices. But as I always say, “do what works for you.”
Make into a spread or dip
Additionally, I whipped up the cucumber mixture and made it as a spread. Serve the spread with gluten-free baguettes, vegetables, and/or gluten-free crackers. It was easy and fast (the two most important characteristics of any recipe).
In short, have fun in the kitchen, don’t take yourself too seriously. Subscribe, share, and let me know how “YOU” made it your own. Share your positive comments and suggestions. ❤️ from VGFL.
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup sweet onion grated
- 1 (8 ounce) vegan cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon wasabi sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 loaf gluten-free sandwich bread
- sprigs of fresh dill optional
Instructions
- Slice about a quarter of the cucumber into thin slices, place aside if making sandwiches.
- Grate remaining cucumber on the medium side of the grater, place in a colander.
- Grate sweet onion on the fine side of the grater and add to the colander.
- Use a kitchen or paper towel and press as much liquid as you can out of the cucumber and onion mixture.
- In a medium bowl, stir to combine cucumber and onion mixture with cream cheese, mayo, wasabi, and salt.
Making Sandwiches
- Remove crust from bread.
- Spread cucumber mixture onto one slice of bread, place a thin slice of cucumber on top of mixture. Top with a slice of bread to form the sandwich.
- Cut into triangular pieces and serve.
- Optional: place a piece of dill on top of sandwich triangles and serve.
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