Sometimes, simple is better, especially as the lazy days of summer continue. In this case, a simple open-faced cucumber sandwich can make the most glorious afternoon snack. The reason reason, however, that I decided to do something with cucumbers today is this:
This is what’s left of my cucumber plant. The culprit who pulled it out of the ground and dragged it around (as well as ate a cucumber) is there on the left looking innocent with her ball. I can only think that the cucumber, which was in a pot at the corner of the house, really impeded her ability to go tearing around the corner at high speed to bark at other dogs. Whatever her motivation was, I’ve got about a dozen small cucumbers in the fridge and no more cucumber plant in the pot, as well as a note to myself in my gardening journal that the dog now has a taste for cucumbers, so it might be wisest to plant the cucumber in the front yard next year.
Some of the cucumbers are going into spring rolls later this week, so be on the lookout for the recipe. Some are going into these easy cucumber sandwiches to snack on this weekend. This is one of those not really a recipe recipes and here’s the how-to: take some good crusty French bread and slice it in half. Spread a generous amount of salted butter on the bread. Place several basil leaves on top of the butter (I used some of my dark purple basil). Slice one small cucumber and then places the slices on top of the basil. Sprinkle with salt. Eat outside, preferably with a drink over ice and a good book.
The lovely drink accompanying this is a Spanish Gin Tonic from one of my favorite bloggers, Fox and Briar. You can find the recipe here.
Enjoy!