

Crisp cucumbers are topped with garlic and herb cream cheese, smoked salmon and other garnishes that you might see on your Sunday bagel, for a light, flavor-packed appetizer that pairs beautifully with a fragrant white wine.
There are many joys of life in Southern California, among them weather that cooperates most of the year, allowing for outdoor get-togethers on a whim, and watching and playing sports all year long.
We’re big fans of soccer here, and we often pair game-watching with nibbles and drinks, whether the game is at a local field, an away-tournament, or on our TV screen. It always goes better with appetizers and wine.
I was thinking of what to serve that would be low-carb, wouldn’t aggravate gluten-free friends, and would pair nicely with a new-to-me bottle of deliciously fragrant white wine, and it struck me — what about classic bagel toppings, but without the bagel? Let’s put them on crisp cucumber slices, for an irresistible nibble.
Easy to make Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites
These are among the easiest appetizers I have ever made.
Assemble all the ingredients and peel the cucumbers decoratively (don’t they sort of look like soccer balls?). I peel alternate stripes, but suit yourself. You could peel them entirely if you like, or don’t peel them at all.
Cut crosswise slices about 1/4-inch thick. Spread each slice with some softened Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese. You could also use whipped cream cheese if you like. This acts as the glue to hold the rest of the toppings on snugly.
Top each with a thin piece of smoked salmon. Place a few slivers of purple onion, a couple of drained capers, and even a sprinkle of black or white sesame seeds (this pays homage to the sesame seeds that are often on a bagel).
That’s it! See how easy it is? You can even arrange them on a plate in the shape of a soccer ball!
What wine to drink with your Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites
The logical wine to choose is Trivento White Orchid Reserve Torrontes. Trivento Wine is the Official Wine of MLS (Major League Soccer), so it’s a natural for soccer-themed parties and potlucks. I was very impressed by the characteristics of the Trivento White Orchid Reserve Torrontes. My go-to wine is generally a Pinot Grigio, and this is an innovative blend of Torrontes (the dominant white grape of Argentina) and Pinot Grigio grapes, whose marriage makes them both better. Breathe in, and you smell a garden of flowers, pineapple, chamomile and white pepper from the Torrontes grapes, wafting with the golden apple and citrus of Pinot Grigio. Your first sniff might cause you to think it will be sweet, but it isn’t. It’s an off-dry, light wine with a refreshing flavor that pairs remarkably well with summer foods. At about $11 a bottle, it’s a perfect everyday wine, as well. Take a look at the Trivento-MLS Loyalty program, as well, where you can sign in on a mobile device, buy Trivento, earn credit and get MLS gear. Score!
It really complements these Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites — the floral wine is a nice counterpoint to the crisp and slightly sweet cucumber, creamy/garlic-y cheese, salty salmon, sharp onion flavors.
These appetizers paired with that wine….it makes a worthy goal! (See what I did there? 😎 )
CUCUMBER SMOKED SALMON APPETIZER BITES: Crisp cucumbers are topped with garlic and herb cream cheese, smoked salmon and other garnishes that you might see on your Sunday bagel, for a light, flavor-packed appetizer that pairs beautifully with a fragrant white wine.
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 package Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese (or similar product, or use whipped cream cheese)
- 1 package thinly sliced smoked salmon
- 1/8th of a purple onion, sliced very thinly
- Capers in brine
- Black or white sesame seeds
Directions
- Peel the skin of the cucumber alternately in strips, for a fanciful appeal. Slice the cucumber crosswise in 1/4-inch thick slices (too thin and they'll flop around and spill the toppings when you pick them up).
- Spread each cucumber round with a bit of Boursin (this will act as the glue to keep the salmon attached), then top with a small thin piece of smoked salmon.
- Garnish each with a few drained capers, a couple of slivers of purple onion, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- NON-DAIRY: Omit the Boursin and use the other toppings
- VEGETARIAN: Use the Boursin but omit the smoked salmon and use the other toppings
- VEGAN: Omit the Boursin and smoked salmon and use the other toppings
- Makes about 20-40 bites, depending on how thickly you cut the cucumber slices and how big your cucumbers are.
Notes
Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious
Cheers to a fun season of soccer, whether you play, you watch, or you do both!
Pin the image below to your Pinterest board to save both the recipe and the reminder of the wine to pair with it.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Trivento Wine.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
This looks like an incredible snack. Paired with wine it would be the best kind of Friday night after a long week. Such an easy and tasty recipe.
Heather,
You have that right about Friday night!
Just wanted to stop by and say this recipe turned out to be awesome for me. Its so delicious and easy to make not to mention very quick. If you have not tried it yet then I would say you must try it once.
The perfect bite-sized snack!
Gorgeousness! Simplicity and flavor at its best. Love it.
Thank you Cathy!
What a gorgeous party appetizers!
Toni,
They really do dress up a plate nicely! 🙂
They look so cute and yummy!
These make such a gorgous presentation for your guests! I bet they disappear quickly!
What a great appetizer idea for Spring brunches! So pretty too!
This looks like my kind of snack! I will definitely have to try to make this.
Yum, these look so fresh and healthy!
These look so good!! I love smoked salmon and the cucumber would be so refreshing!!
Nikki,
It is! Crisp cukes, smoked salmon…match made in heaven!
This looks amazing. It is like sushi but with a cucumber! I will have to try this!
Kara,
Yes, it is sorta like sushi I guess, except with smoked salmon (sushi is usually raw fish). Try it!
Yes – this is one of my favorite appetizers! Brilliant!
I’ve done similar things in the past but have never heard of Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese. Definitely want to find that and try this out.
Omg, these bites are absolutely the cutest thing ever! I love the idea. Even the small details with how you peeled the cucumbers are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Narkis,
You’re welcome! That little cucumber trick is one I use all the time. It looks so fancy, yet is really no work at all.
Thanks for sharing this. This looks wonderful. I have never made sushi before, but if I follow your recipe I am sure I will do well.
Tiffany,
This isn’t sushi, but rather a slice of cucumber with smoked salmon on top. Sushi is a most often a little cake or cooked rice with raw fish on top.
Every one of these looks and sounds good!! I may have to test some out.
I could have my friends come over right now, just to make these cucumbers smoked salmon appetizers. They look so delicious and elegant.
Marjie,
You are so right! You could have a make-your-own party…they are both rustic and elegant at the same time!
These look like something my husband would absolutely love! I don’t like smoke-flavored anything, but could also try with something else on there too.
Stephanie,
Yes, make them to suit YOU!
Ooh, those look delicious! Forget about having them as appetizers. A plate of those could totally be my dinner!
Lois,
You and I think alike!