Here’s an easy appetizer idea: Cucumber cups with basil pesto filling. I came up with this recipe years ago, and since it’s one of the simplest things on earth to make, it remains always on hand for whenever I may need to whip it out again.
I recently share my Pesto Caprese Salad recipe, so I figured that another appetizer (with pesto!) would be a good thing to post today!
What is an appetizer?
An appetizer is a small finger food, usually served before a meal just to “Whet your appetite,” give you something to snack on while the food is being prepared, and also to give you a taste of the quality of what is yet to come. Appetizers are commonly served at fancy dinner parties or large occasions, but you can make them right in your own kitchen to serve to guests.
What goes well with cucumber?
Cucumbers are so fresh tasting, and in my opinion, they pair best with anything that compliments their light and refreshing taste. This recipe is perhaps inspired by cucumber sandwiches, which I have often seen made with cream cheese. I also find cucumbers to go well with anything in the salad family of vegetables, creamy cheeses, and thinly sliced cured meats.
How to make this recipe
Rather than just slicing cucumbers, these cucumber appetizers are thickly sliced and then hollowed out with a melon baller to make room for a generous amount of the creamy pesto filling.
Some other ways to use this filling
One thing that I love about this filling is that you can use it different items on the same spread. One filling, multiple appetizers. Some ideas would be to use it as a filling for cherry tomatoes, or spread on crackers with a little bit of fresh grated parmesan cheese and some sliced green onion.
What is the recipe?
Yes of course… The whole point of this post! Say no more: here it is. 
Cucumber Cups with Basil Pesto Filling
This simple appetizer idea is a great way to use cucumbers! Make this recipe to dress up a dinner party with ease.
Ingredients
- 2-3 English cucumbers roughly peeled and cut into 1" chunks
- 8 oz cream cheese softened (about 1 cup)
- 3/4 c. sour cream or plain yogurt
- 3 Tbsp. basil pesto
- 2 Tbsp chives minced
- salt to taste
- Extra chives cut into 1" lengths to garnish
Instructions
-
Wash and roughly peel the cucumbers. Cut into 1" chunks, and then scoop out the centres with a melon baller. Set aside.
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In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream, pesto, chives, and a little bit of salt to taste. Beat until smooth and thick, and then spoon into a prepared piping bag fitted with a 16" star tip.
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Pipe little swirls of filling into the centre of each cucumber cup. Garnish with chives, and refrigerate until serving. These appetizers are best served on the day they are made.
And there you have it! Simple as can be and totally delicious.
Used in this recipe:
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Melon baller
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer
- Piping bags
- #16 Star tip
- Scissors
- Serving plate
What are your favourite appetizer ideas?
I’d love to hear what your favourites are! Let me know in the comments.
That’s it for today! Bye for now,
–Naomi
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Delicious, just made these for Easter dinner appetizer! The pesto was a great idea.
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