Derby Day Benedictine Canapés (Printable view)

Cream cheese Benedictine spread on toasted rounds, topped with cucumber and dill — quick, elegant Derby Day hors d'oeuvre.

# What You Need:

→ Benedictine Spread

01 - 1 English cucumber, peeled and seeded
02 - 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
04 - 1 tablespoon grated yellow onion
05 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - Pinch of ground white pepper
09 - A few drops green food coloring (optional, for traditional look)

→ Canapés

10 - 1 baguette or 12 slices white sandwich bread
11 - 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
12 - Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish

# How To Make:

01 - Grate the peeled, seeded cucumber for the Benedictine spread. Place in a clean cloth or paper towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
02 - In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, grated onion, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and white pepper. Mix until smooth.
03 - Fold in the grated cucumber and a few drops of green food coloring if desired. Chill for 10 minutes for flavors to meld.
04 - Slice baguette into 24 thin rounds, or cut sandwich bread into desired shapes using a round or oval cutter. Optionally, toast lightly.
05 - Spread about 1 tablespoon of Benedictine onto each bread round.
06 - Top with a thin slice of cucumber and garnish with a dill sprig. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • There's a secret joy in watching guests realize the cucumber garnish hides an herby, tangy spread beneath.
  • It comes together fast, but feels elegant enough for hats and fancy drinks – perfect for impressing with minimal fuss.
02 -
  • If you skip squeezing out the cucumber, the spread will go runny and your canapés will sag disappointingly fast.
  • Learning that chilling the Benedictine really lets the flavors blossom – don't rush this step if you can help it.
03 -
  • Don't underestimate the difference a little extra lemon makes; the flavor really pops on the palate.
  • If you hand-mix your spread instead of using a processor, it stays delightfully airy and light – totally worth the extra effort.
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