Benedictine Sandwich Spread Food

BEST BENEDICTINE SPREAD

Steps:

• Process cucumber chunks in a food processor until finely chopped. Put chopped cucumber and white onion in a piece of cheesecloth and twist to squeeze into a bowl as much liquid as possible from the vegetables, reserving the liquid.
• Assure the food processor bowl is dry before returning cucumber and onion mixture to the food processor. Add cream cheese, dill, hot pepper sauce, green food coloring, and cayenne pepper. Process the mixture until smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor bowl a few times to make sure everything is integrated. If too thick, add reserved liquid a teaspoon at a time.

BENEDICTINE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Peel the cucumber, and remove the seeds.
• Place in a food processor and pulse about 5-6 times until minced. (I use my Pampered Chef handy chopper, chopping a few pieces at a time - about 15 chops).
• Transfer cucumber to a small mixing bowl.
• Chop onion in chopper or food processor, until finely minced. Add to cucumber.
• Add cream cheese, salt, food coloring and Tabasco, combining well.
• With a biscuit cutter, cut rounds out of bread slices.
• Spread a small amount of mayonnaise on bread rounds. Top with cucumber mixture, spreading to edges. Top with additional bread round.
• Garnish with parsley or other herbs as desired.

BENEDICTINE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, salt, white pepper, dill and food coloring if desired; beat until smooth. Stir in cucumber and onion. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with pita or snack rye bread.

BENEDICTINE SANDWICH SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese in a bowl and mash with a fork until smooth. Wrap cucumber in cheesecloth, then squeeze out and discard juice. Add cucumber to cream cheese and mix thoroughly. Wrap onions in cheesecloth and squeeze juice into cream cheese mixture, then discard onions. Mix mayonnaise and Tabasco sauce into cream cheese mixture. Season to taste with salt, then add 1 drop food coloring and mix well. Serve on thinly sliced white sandwich bread, topped with another slice of bread, trimmed, and cut into finger sandwiches.

BENEDICTINE TEA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place grated cucumber in colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat and let stand for 20 minutes. Drain and press out as much moisture as possible. Pat with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
• With paddle attachment on stand mixer, beat mayo, cream cheese, onion*, dill & garlic until creamy.
• Add drained cucumber and mix well. Salt to taste if needed.
• Spread mixture on white sandwich bread. Slice off crusts. Cut sandwiches into driangles or diamonds or seal with a sandwich press** if desired (see note below).
• *Walla Walla, Vidalia, or Mayan onions work best - must be sweet onions so they don't overpower the delicate balance of the other ingredients.
• **If using a sandwich press, cut bread first, place filling in, then press to seal (this keeps the edges clean so they will seal better).
• If not serving immediately, refrigerate, covered.

BENEDICTINE

Steps:

• Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Allow to drain in a layer of cheesecloth in a mesh strainer fitted over a bowl. Squeeze to remove excess liquid.
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl and mix with a rubber spatula until smooth. Add the cucumber and onion and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

BENEDICTINE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• 1. Cut cucumber in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.
• 2. Place the cucumber and onion in a food processor and puree.
• 3. Place the puree in a stainer to drain off excess liquid.
• 4. Place the cucumber mixture back in the food processor with the cream cheese and salt and puree until combined.
• 5. Spread onto bread to make sandwiches.
• 6. Serve.

BENEDICTINE SPREAD OR DIP

Steps:

• 1. Peel cucumber; grate over a bowl, using a microplane or fine grater.
• 2. Pour pulp and juice into a coffee filter placed in a small strainer over small bowl; gather ends of filter and gently squeeze and press to release juice into bowl.
• 3. Measure 3 tablespoons cucumber juice into a small saucepan. Discard remaining juice and pulp.
• 4. Repeat process with onion for 1 tablespoon juice to add to cucumber juice in pan.
• 5. Place pan over high heat, bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. (This will tame the cucumber and make it friendlier to the tummy.)
• 6. To the warm juice, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice and 5 drops of green food color gel; stir and mix well; set aside.
• 7. Unwrap cream cheese, place in mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat cream cheese well.
• 8. Gradually add juice, mixing until well incorporated and smooth.
• 9. Spread may be used immediately or cover and refrigerate (for up to one week) until served.