Little Smoked Salmon Cucumber Cups With Peppered Creme Fraiche Recipes

Steps:

• Cut the cucumber into 1 1/2 inch slices, and carefully hollow out the centre (with any seeds) with a pointed teaspoon, so you are left with a shallow hollow.
• Mix the lemon zest and black pepper with the crème fraiche and adjust seasoning to taste, adding the black pepper bit by bit to ensure a favourable taste! (We like ours quite peppery!) I have not suggested salt as the smoked salmon is salty, but do add salt to taste if you wish.
• Spoon a little seasoned crème fraiche into each cucumber cup, about 1 teaspoon per cup.
• Cut the smoked salmon into 6-inch long strips and about 1/2 inch wide, and curl them around to make a little circle, then place the circle of smoked salmon on top of the crème fraiche.
• Garnish with lemon slices if you wish, or with dill or parsley. Makes about 30 according to size of cucumber.
• You can prepare the cucumber cups and crème fraiche several hours beforehand- cover them and store them in the fridge; assemble them just before you are ready to serve them.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add all of the crepe batter ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Expect the batter to be thinner than normal pancake batter. Refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes.
• When ready to make the crepes, lightly brush a 6 to 8-inch crepe pan or small nonstick skillet with melted butter and put over medium-high heat.
• Ladle a few tablespoons of batter into the center of the hot pan.
• Lift the pan, removing it from the heat, and swirl so the batter coats the bottom of the pan in an even layer that's as thin as possible. If you have a few holes in the crepe, you can add a bit more batter to those bald spots to cover them. If there is excess batter in the pan, simply pour it back into the batter bowl.
• Return the pan to the heat and cook until the edges crisp and the batter loses its shine, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Using a nonstick spatula, flip the crepe and continue cooking on the other side, another 30 to 45 seconds.
• If making crepes in advance, you can either slide the cooked crepes onto a cookie sheet and keep warm in a 200 degree F oven, or stack on a plate, putting waxed paper between each layer to prevent sticking while you continue with the remaining batter.
• When ready to serve, heat 1 crepe in a pan and add some of the filling, warming slightly. (If you imagine your crepe to be divided into quarters, you only want to add filling to the bottom corner in order to fold it properly. The crepe should be folded in half (like you would an omelet) and then again into a neat triangle (like a piece of pie). If you want more filling, crepes can be either rolled or folded in half.)
• Combine the sour cream or creme fraiche, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, chives, and capers, in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• To serve, put a piece of smoked salmon in the bottom corner of a warmed crepe, folding in half (like you would an omelet) and then again into a neat triangle (like a piece of pie). Repeat with remaining crepes and filling. Arrange the crepes on a serving platter. Top each with a dollop of lemon-herb cream and a caper berry before serving.

Steps:

• Place two racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Spray a mini-muffin tin generously with cooking spray.
• For the chive creme fraiche: In a small bowl, combine the creme fraiche, chives, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper. Refrigerate while you make the frittatas.
• For the frittatas: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, creme fraiche, chives, dill, salt and pepper to blend well. Stir in the smoked salmon. Fill the cups of the prepared muffin tin 3/4 full with the egg mixture. Bake until the frittatas are puffed up and just set in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to loosen the frittatas and slide them onto a platter. Serve immediately with a dollop of chive creme fraiche.

Steps:

• Trim ends from cucumbers and cut crosswise into 24 (3/4-inch-thick) rounds. Scoop a 1/2-inch-deep depression from one side of each round with a small melon-baller, forming little cups. Drain cucumbers, cup sides down, on paper towels for 15 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese, chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, and black pepper together in a bowl. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon cheese mixture into each cucumber cup. Top each cup with 1 salmon strip and 1 dill sprig.

Steps:

• Make tartare: In a small bowl, combine salmon, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and zest. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a paring knife or vegetable peeler, remove skin on two opposite sides of cucumber. Trim the ends, and cut cucumber crosswise into 48 slices, 1/4 inch thick. Place slices on paper towels to dry.
• Using a butter knife or a small offset spatula, spread about 1/2 teaspoon of creme fraiche on half of the cucumber slices, and then top with a teaspoon of tartare. Place remaining cucumber slices on top, followed by a small dollop of creme fraiche and a piece of lime. Serve immediately, or chill, covered with plastic wrap, up to 1 hour.

Steps:

• Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon into cucumber halves., Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until filling is firm. Cut into 1/2-in. slices.

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add cucumbers and potato; stir 1 minute. Add broth, dill sprigs, and 1 teaspoon salt. Increase heat and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cucumbers and potato are tender, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in processor until smooth. Return to pot. Cool 15 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraîche and 4 tablespoons minced dill. Cover and chill until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.) Taste soup, adding more salt if desired. Ladle soup into 6 bowls. Place dollop of crème fraîche in center of each bowl; sprinkle with smoked salmon and remaining 2 tablespoons minced dill.