English Cucumber Slices
with Cheese Filling

Creamy low-fat Neufchâtel cheese and blue cheese fill hollowed out 1-inch slices of cucumber. Topped with crumbled bacon bits and a sprig of dill, these could be the easiest appetizers yet. The cheese filling is also excellent for piping onto crackers.

    1 English cucumber, peeled and cut into 12 slices
    4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese
    2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
    1 teaspoon dried parsley
    ⅛ teaspoon seasoning salt
    Pinch freshly ground Tellicherry peppercorns
    Pinch sweet paprika
    Bacon Bits
    Sprigs of fresh dill

1.  Use the small end of a melon baller to scoop out the center of
     each cucumber slice while leaving the base intact. Set on a tray or
     place in a flat plastic container with a lid.

2.  In a medium bowl, blend Neufchâtel cheese, blue cheese, parsley,
     seasoning salt, pepper and paprika. Scoop into a small plastic bag.
     Snip one corner and pipe filling into each cucumber.

3.  Sprinkle with bacon and top with tiny sprigs of dill. Keep
     refrigerated until it is serving time.

     Makes 12 appetizers