Crisp cucumber ribbons shaped like holiday trees, adorned with creamy cheese, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for a festive appetizer.
# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 large English cucumbers
02 - 6 cherry tomatoes
→ Dairy
03 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Herbs & Seasonings
04 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnishes & Assembly
07 - 12 small pretzel sticks
08 - 12 star-shaped yellow bell pepper slices (optional)
09 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Wash cucumbers thoroughly. Using a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler, slice each cucumber lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese with dill, chives, salt, and pepper, mixing until smooth.
03 - Cut each cherry tomato in half.
04 - Thread one cucumber ribbon onto a pretzel stick, folding it back and forth to form a zigzag, tree-like shape.
05 - Pipe or spoon a small dollop of the herbed cream cheese at the base of each cucumber tree.
06 - Top each tree with a half cherry tomato or a star-shaped bell pepper slice.
07 - Sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds over the assembled trees if desired.
08 - Arrange the trees upright on a serving platter and serve immediately to maintain texture.
