Edible Therapy: Cucumber and Smoked Salmon Rolled Canapes

I have been negligent this past week in my blogging duties, and that is because I have been prepping for parties (three this week) that I co-hosted with others. One Thursday night for the Bravo group, a wine tasting Friday night for a friend getting married this month, and a shower Saturday night (my house*) for another friend getting married this month. Party party party! So I have been cooking a lot, but have not had quite enough time to write about it. There is one party item I made that I want to tell you about though, as I think it is perfect for summer and easy to make, and that is this smoked salmon and cucumber rolled canape with herbed cream cheese in the center. These bites are crunchy, smokey, sweet, creamy, and rich all at the same time, and they are served cold, which is perfect for the ninety-five degree weather that we are enduring in Memphis right now. And, they are beautiful without even a garnish! The pale green cucumber, the pink salmon, and the bright creamy center...yummy. I would not recommend making these too far in advance, as the cucumber will give out all of its moisture if you do and the rolls will lose some of their crunch. That said, they are so easy you won't mind doing them at the last minute.

Cucumber and Smoked Salmon Rolled Canapes:

For the herbed cream cheese filling:
3 cloves garlic
1 c fresh herbs (I used dill, tarragon, basil, oregano, and thyme from the garden, but you could use one or any combination)
1 lb cream cheese
2 T dry white wine
1/2 t salt
the juice of 1/2 lemon
1 t pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and whizz until well combined. This makes more than you will need for the canapes (a lot more), but you can use it as a spread for crackers, too. Of course you could also divvy it in half for a smaller recipe!

For the rolls:

1 english cucumber (or 2 large regular cucumbers), peeled on two sides, skin left on the other two
1 package smoked salmon (24 oz)
herbed cream cheese
toothpicks

Using a mandoline, slice the cucumber (cut in half if you are using the long, english kind) into 1/8 inch-thick slices and lay them on a tray or baking sheet. Cover each slice with smoked salmon (very thinly sliced) and then place a small dollop of the cream cheese mixture at one end. Starting at the cream cheese end, roll each slice into a ball and secure with a toothpick.

*Other items served at the shower: veggie spring rolls with peanut sauce, grilled lemon chicken with peanut sauce, veggies and herb dip, a cheese board, and cheese terrine with roasted red peppers, artichokes, and sundried tomatoes. For dessert, lemon squares and raspberry cheesecake. (lots of cheese!! Our honoree was my friend Marion, who is French and has been dieting, so has not had any cheese in six weeks until this party!)