Cucumbers With Tapenade Mousse Recipes

CUCUMBER TAPENADE CANAPES

Steps:

• In the center of each cucumber slice put 1/2 teaspoon of the tapenade, drape 2 of the pepper strips in an X over it, and garnish each canapé with a parsley leaf. The canapés may be made 30 minutes in advance and kept covered and chilled.

STUFFED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Place seeds and pulp in a colander. Sprinkle with salt; drain for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, green pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce and pepper; mix well. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons drained pulp. Spoon into cucumber shells; sprinkle with paprika. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with French dressing if desired.

GRILLED CUCUMBERS WITH TOMATO-CARDAMOM DRESSING AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Start with the dressing: Add the tomatoes, oil, garlic, miso, bay leaves, cardamom shells and seeds, paprika and a heaping ¼ teaspoon salt to a large (lidded) sauté pan. Place over medium-high heat, give everything a good stir and leave it, uncovered, until it starts to bubble gently.
• Once bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low, cover with the lid and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring once, until the tomatoes have burst and start to release their juices. Turn down the heat if necessary; you want the garlic to soften without taking on color, and you want the tomatoes to not completely disintegrate. Stir in the lime juice and set aside.
• Heat a grill pan over high, and ventilate your kitchen well.
• Halve the cucumbers lengthwise then use a small spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds. Slice each halved cucumber lengthwise into 2 equal pieces, then transfer the cucumber quarters to a bowl and toss with the oil, ½ teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper. When the grill pan is very hot, grill them in batches, cut sides down, for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them over and grill for 1 to 2 minutes more. You want nice grill marks and for the cucumbers to soften but still retain a bite. (You don't want any floppy cucumbers.) As they're ready, immediately transfer to the tomato pan, stirring to coat in the dressing.
• Once they're all grilled, stir the cilantro into the pan and transfer the mixture to a large serving platter with a lip. Sprinkle on the torn mozzarella, along with a good pinch of salt, and tuck the cheese under the cucumbers in places. You can serve this dish hot or at room temperature.

CUCUMBER-DILL MOUSSE

Steps:

• Spray 4-cup mold or bowl with cooking spray. Sprinkle gelatin on wine in 1-quart saucepan to soften. Heat over medium heat about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved.
• Place 2 cups of the cucumbers and the remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth. Add gelatin mixture. Cover and blend 5 seconds.
• Pour into mold. Stir in remaining cucumber. Cover and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm; unmold.