Cool Summer Cucumber Cups

These appetizers are ready in flat 20 mins !!!  

There is a good reason why they say “Cool as a Cucumber” Cucumbers contain 96% water.  Isn’t it amazing how Mother Nature provides us with exactly what we need in every season?

This recipe is highly recommended to fit into your list of other summer must-haves like jal jeera, aam panna (raw mango cooler), buttermilk, lemon and chia seed water etc etc.

Let’s welcome the beautiful tropical summers with these crunchy cucumber cups.

You will experience a combination of spicy, tangy and sweet flavours in every bite.  Just like a refreshing splash of cool water in the hot summer afternoons. The filling is a mix of capsicum, corn, carrots,  dates, mango, paneer and a dash lime and chaat masala.  Not missing the beautiful bright sundried tomatoes bejeweled on top of these lovely canapes.

There is no reason you should not make them – They look impressive, they are healthy, easy to make and mouth-watering, all at the same time.

Cool Summer Cucumber Cups

20 calories per serving

Ingredients : 

• 1 big cucumber (for cucumber cups)
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup paneer or tofu (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp finely chopped raw
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tbsp grated carrots
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 2 finely chopped dates
• 1 1/2 tsp salt to taste
• A pinch of chaat masala
• 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp Sundried tomatoes
• 3 tsp tamarind chutney

Method : 

1. Peel the cucumbers and chop them into 1 inch pieces. Use a melon baller to make a duvet in the middle of each piece.
2. Add a thin layer of the tamarind chutney in each of the cucumber cups.
3. In a small bowl mix together all of the ingredients and then use a spoon to fill the cucumber cups!
4. Garnish with ripe mango and sundried tomatoes and enjoy!
5. Sprinkle some chaat masala on top of these beautiful cucumber cups for added flavour.

Helpful tips :

1. If you are on a diet and want to lower the calories of these cups you can skip the paneer and instead add moong sprouts.  This will help in lower the calorie content and will keep the protein content intact.
2. In case you do not have sun-dried tomatoes replace them with raisins for the tangy and sweet flavour.