Little Smoked Salmon Cucumber Cups With Peppered Creme Fraiche

Ingredients

• 1 medium cucumber, cut into 1-inch slices
• 10 tablespoons creme fraiche
• zest of one large lemon
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste (about 2 teaspoons)
• 225 g smoked salmon (8 ozs)
• salt (optional)
• lemon slice, to garnish (optional)
• dill (optional) or parsley, to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Cut the cucumber into 1 1/2 inch slices, and carefully hollow out the centre (with any seeds) with a pointed teaspoon, so you are left with a shallow hollow.
2. Mix the lemon zest and black pepper with the crème fraiche and adjust seasoning to taste, adding the black pepper bit by bit to ensure a favourable taste! (We like ours quite peppery!) I have not suggested salt as the smoked salmon is salty, but do add salt to taste if you wish.
3. Spoon a little seasoned crème fraiche into each cucumber cup, about 1 teaspoon per cup.
4. Cut the smoked salmon into 6-inch long strips and about 1/2 inch wide, and curl them around to make a little circle, then place the circle of smoked salmon on top of the crème fraiche.
5. Garnish with lemon slices if you wish, or with dill or parsley. Makes about 30 according to size of cucumber.
6. You can prepare the cucumber cups and crème fraiche several hours beforehand- cover them and store them in the fridge; assemble them just before you are ready to serve them.