Looking for an easy light dinner, lunch, or brunch recipe? You found it! This super Easy Cucumber Sandwich only calls for 10 simple inexpensive ingredients. Perfect for a summer picnic get-together, Mother’s Day brunch, Fourth of July, Labor Day, a shower, appetizer, the list keeps on going. Above all, so easy you will make this over and over. Now, let’s get started.
Ingredients
I am always looking to re-create recipes that can be versatile, have few ingredients, and of course delicious. So, when I ran across these cucumber sandwiches while reading about traditional Kentucky Derby recipes, I jumped on it. The Kentucky Derby version is named; Cucumber Benedictine Tea Sandwiches. I thought the name Easy Cucumber Sandwich worked, easier to say and remember. I then began to develop a yummy vegan or vegetarian version. Hence, I created an easy recipe that will be sure to please not only Derby watchers but everyone, anytime!
Cooking with Karen
Creamy ingredients
Vegan cream cheese
Vegan cream cheese can occasionally be challenging to find, but definitely getting easier. There are so many options for vegan cream cheese be sure to carefully read the labels. Many are made with soy, cashew, almond, and tree nuts. Listed below are a few vegan cream cheese options. Keep in mind each brand of cream cheese will give the recipe a unique flavor and creaminess. Adjust as needed.
Vegan cream cheese options
- So Delicious; is a soy-free coconut-based cream cheese
- smooth and dairy-free with additional flavor varieties
- Kite Hill; is an almond-based cream cheese
- has a tangy flavor with additional flavor varieties
- Miyokos; is a thick cashew-based vegan cream cheese
- offers many additional flavor varieties
- Dayia; is free from dairy, soy, gluten, peanuts, and tree nuts (except coconut)
- creamy and spreadable with additional flavor varieties
Vegan mayo
My favorite vegan mayo brand of mayo is Follow Your Heart. I have also used Just Mayo with truffle for an added interesting flavor. Whatever your favorite mayo you use it will still be amazing. Just keep in mind some plant-based mayonnaise are thinner than others, adjust the recipe as needed to allow the spread to stay creamy and held together.
Vegan mayonnaise options
- Follow Your Heart; is creamy and flavorful
- Optional varieties for all types allergies
- Hellmans Vegan Mayo; made with soy oil
- egg-free, no cholesterol, non-GMO
Star of the dish: Cucumber
Cucumber Sandwich? Yes! Cucumbers are available any time of the year, easy to find, inexpensive, nutritious, versatile, and delicious. Perfect. Cucumbers have a light flavor, texture, and are chock full of moisture. The high moisture content can be problematic for a sandwich spread but can be resolved easily. The results of the cucumber sandwich flavors are bright, light, savory, 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 cucumber release a lot of water. That being said; before adding the shredded cucumber to the spread drain and press out any excess liquid. A wet sandwich is not appetizing to eat or look at.
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. Not an onion sandwich. 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, is the perfect amount.
Hint of heat
Traditional Benedictine sandwiches served at the Kentucky Derby add green food coloring to the spread. Since, not here. I wanted to keep the sandwiches fresh and organic, adding wasabi gives a hit of green, a bit of heat and no fake food coloring. Traditional Benedictine sandwiches add spice as well, the wasabi kills 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 and desire a little crunch, layer a few thin slices of cucumber for some added texture. Don’t want fresh slices, don’t add them. 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 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, and 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 optional
- sprigs of fresh dill optional
Instructions
- Slice about a quarter of a cucumber into thin slices, and set aside for a garnish or add to the 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, add cream cheese, mayo, wasabi, and salt. Using a spoon, stir ingredients. Fold in the cucumber and onion mixture until well combined.
Making Sandwiches
- Remove crust from bread.
- Spread cucumber mixture onto one slice of bread, and place a thin slice of cucumber on top of the mixture (optional). 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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