Can you tell that I’m in the mood for easy, oven-less recipes this week? :) Considering temps are only getting hotter every day, I’ve resorted to recipes that require no baking or grilling of any kind, preferably made with few ingredients.
Take these strawberry + cucumber peanut butter rolls, for instance. They require only a few ingredients, are best served cold, and are super easy to make. You might be thinking, strawberry + cucumber + peanut butter = good? The answer is, YES! My coworkers inhaled these, saying they reminded them of a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, sans the bread. The cucumber adds a nice crunch, while the balsamic vinegar and salt makes this a savory snack.
What are your favorite go-to recipes for summer?! Sound off in the comments below!
Strawberry + Cucumber Peanut Butter Rolls (makes 20 rolls)
Ingredients:
1 english cucumber, cut into (2) 4 ½ inch pieces
1 cup PB2 (powdered peanut butter)
9 T water
½ tsp salt
10 strawberries, cut into ⅛ inch slices (trim stem, sit flat, and slice vertically)
¼ cup Balsamic vinegar
Kosher Salt
Fresh cracked black pepper
Tools needed:
Mandoline
Chef’s knife
Small mixing bowl
20 toothpicks
Whisk
Small spoon
Pastry brush
Instructions:
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together PB2, water, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside. (or can use regular peanut butter in place of this)
Using a mandoline on a thin setting (less than ⅛ in thick), slice the 4 ½ inch piece of cucumber into at least 10 slices lengthwise (so makes long rectangles)
Lie out all cucumber slices and brush both sides with balsamic vinegar and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Using a small spoon, place a ¼ tsp dollop of peanut butter mixture in the center of the cucumber slice.
Place 1 slice of strawberry on the peanut butter dollop, followed by another dollop of peanut butter, followed by another slice of strawberry, and finally one more dollop of peanut butter.
Fold one side of the cucumber slice onto strawberries so that it sticks to the top dollop of peanut butter, and then top folded side of cucumber with ¼ tsp peanut butter mixture, and then roll over onto remaining side of cucumber so that it makes a strawberry “sandwich”.
Top with another slice of strawberry and secure with a toothpick.