Cucumber surprise

Cucumber surprise is a fresh and delicate recipe that will perfectly suit the summer, during which we generally want to enjoy something refreshing and tasty at the same time.

The cucumbers marry well in many recipes; Cucumber surprise is a surprise! Surprise in the sense that each small bite contains a heart of ricotta cheese, pine nuts and fresh basil.

The presentation of this dish is part of the success of this recipe; it needs to be prepared with patience; you have to compose each little packet and then you have to do the decoration of the plate. So take your time.
You can choose different presentations; the one in the picture has a Zen and geometric touch.
The white plate gives a highlight to the pale green of the cucumber.
I'm sure that your imagination will add something unique and special to your own presentation.

I have chosen the place holder SPIRAL to accompany this recipe.
Spiral is one of my favorites, I already presented it in the recipe Apple and cinnamon cake.

Spiral is a place holder that every guest can easily put next to his plate before going around for some conversation or a walk in the garden!
Spiral is made of copper wire (5 cm - 2" height).
They're inspired by the spin of the clock hands - the passage of time during the day.
They're very useful and at the same time they improve the decoration of your table.

I am planning of doing an episode of my blog where I will show how to make Spiral, so that you can try to prepare them yourself for your table.

If you want to see some of my other creations click here.

Time for preparation: 40 minutes
kcal per person: 60

For 4 persons you will need:
-1 Cucumber (medium)
-100 g ( 4 oz) ricotta cheese
-30 g (1 oz) pine nuts cut into small pieces
-20 fresh basil leaves
-salt and pepper

*cut the cucumber into strips in the vertical sense
*add in a bowl the ricotta cheese, the pine nuts and the fresh basil, chopped.
*add salt and pepper
*place a teaspoon of the mixture on one edge of the cucumber strip.
*roll the strip on itself up to half of its length; at this point bend it to 45 degrees and continue rolling until complete closure of the little packet
*now place the little packets on each plate, sprinkle with pepper

You can add some decorations on the plates, for example I put a little roll made using the strips of cucumber left.

Mint flavored raw sugar

When I have some spare time I like to prepare spiced salts, aromatic sugars and spicy oils.
I will use them to add flavor to some dishes or just to add to a simple salad.
Sometimes I put them in small jars and I offer them as gifts.

Recently I had a love at first sight for fresh mint and so I decided to prepare the Mint flavored raw sugar, which I use for evening infusions.
Mint is really wonderful: cool, refresh, digestive and colorful! It has also an intriguing explication according to Greek Mythology.

This sugar can also be used as decoration for other desserts, or to prepare a tasty and refreshing ice tea.

In the photo the sugar is accompanying a hot herbal tea, and is presented with the glass marker "Cheers spirals" that I created a few months ago after a little party I did with friends trying to solve a big problem: " Francesca, Where is my glass?."
During the party my guests continued to ask: '"Is this my glass?" or "I lost my glass" or "I thought that I put my glass on the shelf but I'm wrong, where is it?"and so on...
A glass marker is always a great idea also if you do a cheers with 4 friends!

"Cheers spirals" is a set of 6 glass markers made with copper thread.
They're easy to put on glasses and easy to remember and your guests will absolutely appreciate their utility; at the same time they'll add a decoration touch to your reception. If you like them or simply need them click here to shop, or have a look at this different model.

So if you want to prepare this special sugar you will need:

- two large bunches of fresh mint.
- 100 g (3.5 oz) of raw sugar (don't mix it up with brown sugar!)

*wash thoroughly the mint leaves and dry them well.
* put the sugar and mint leaves in a mixer and mix for 3 minutes
* put the sugar on a sheet of absorbent paper and allow the sugar to dry (at least 48 hours).
* store the sugar in an airtight jar

Now you have your special sugar ready for the summer when it's the right time to have a fresh drink!