Cucumber Cups with Dill Cream and Smoked Salmon

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 large cucumbers
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 ounces smoked salmon, cut into 2-inch strips
• 24 small fresh dill sprigs

Directions

Trim ends from cucumbers and cut crosswise into 24 (3/4-inch-thick) rounds. Scoop a 1/2-inch-deep depression from one side of each round with a small melon-baller, forming little cups. Drain cucumbers, cup sides down, on paper towels for 15 minutes.

Beat cream cheese, chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, and black pepper together in a bowl. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon cheese mixture into each cucumber cup. Top each cup with 1 salmon strip and 1 dill sprig.