This little appetizer is so easy you could almost call it a suggestion rather than a recipe, and it comes from one of my most loved sites – Chocolate & Zucchini. This blog has a wonderful array of recipes, in fact, it’s where I found one of my most favourite chicken dishes – Chicken Marbella (Caramelized Chicken with Olives & Prunes). Chocolate and Zucchini is written by a delightful French girl so it only seemed fitting that I make this dip for my charming friend, Jean Nicolas who was visiting from Paris.
Jean Nicolas, popped in late yesterday afternoon – he was on his way to see Kylie (Minogue) perform and we thought a few glasses of bubbly would be a fine way to start his evening. This light and herby dip served with cucumber was perfect with the champagne and aside from the fact that it takes 10 minutes in total to make, it is also deliciously fresh.
Jean Nicolas happily went on his way (getting ready to dance in the aisles no doubt) while I stayed at home and read my babies their bedtime stories. Years ago I would have been a little disgruntled, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh cheese (I used Bens Fresh Farm Cheese which is local cheese but any fresh cheese will do)
a small bunch of cilantro (coriander), about 25 stems
a dash of olive oil
freshly-ground pepper, to taste
salt (may not be necessary if the cheese is already salted)
2 small cucumbers or one large
Rinse and dry the cilantro. Pluck the leaves and chop them roughly. In a small mixing-bowl, combine the fresh cheese, cilantro, olive oil and pepper, and mix with a fork until thoroughly blended. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a little more oil if necessary to reach the desired smoothness.
Rinse, dry, quarter the cucumbers and cut into sticks.
Serve the fresh cheese and cilantro dip with the cucumber sticks. It is also really good with fingers of crusty bread or olive corn chips.
Notes: If you are not a fan of cilantro then feel free to substitute it with chives or flat leaf parsley. Also, if you have trouble finding a fresh cheese then a cream cheese can be used.
Source: www.chocolateandzucchini.com
© 2011, Michelle. All rights reserved.
