This 3-Ingredient Trader Joe's Cucumber Sandwich Is My Favorite Summer Lunch - Yahoo Life

It takes just 5 minutes to make.

Welcome to Fearless Meals, a column where we help you get through your busy week with speedy, easy, low-stress dinner recipes that call for 5 ingredients or less from our favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's.

One of my favorite combos is cucumbers and cream cheese. There’s something about the mellow crunch of the cucumber with the tangy creaminess of the cheese that is just magic. There’s a reason cucumber sandwiches are a thing.

But just plain cream cheese and cucumber can be a bit, well, bland. That’s why many cucumber sandwich recipes incorporate herbs and seasonings to give it a little oomph. But why go through all of that trouble when Trader Joe’s has me covered?

The day I discovered TJ’s Red Pepper, Garlic, and Parmesan Cream Cheese Spread, my consumption of cucumber sandwiches went through the roof. Spiked with just the right amount of garlic, a quick slather of this flavorful cream cheese and a few cucumber slices are all the sandwich filling you need for an ideal summer lunch.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

The Best Cucumber for Cucumber Sandwiches

My favorite cucumbers, hands down, are Persian cucumbers. The little cukes have thin skins, small and tender seeds, and a nice crunch. They’re usually available year-round at Trader Joe’s. They’re also a good size and shape for filling up a single sandwich.

Hothouse or English cucumbers are also a good choice year-round. Any cucumbers will do, but I recommend at least partially peeling cucumbers with thick, waxy skins and scooping out any tough seeds for the best experience.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

The Best Bread for Cucumber Sandwiches

The classic choice for tea time is a squishy white or whole wheat bread with the crusts trimmed. I’m not quite fussy enough for that, but go for it if you’d like to take the traditional route. It’d be lovely to make a few sandwiches, trim the crusts, and cut them into triangles for tea time.

I really love sourdough, so I tend to use a seeded sourdough and, if it’s not super fresh, I’ll toast it a bit first. That’s what I have around and what I like to eat, so your best bet will be to make this sandwich using your favorite sandwich bread.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

How To Make 3-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Cucumber Sandwich

To make 1 sandwich, you’ll need:

Trim the ends off of the cucumber. Slice lengthwise into long, thin slices. Strips are less likely to come tumbling out of your sandwich than round slices.

Spread a nice layer of cream cheese on each slice of bread. Top one with the slices of cucumber and sandwich the slices together. Slice in half or into quarters and serve.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

Bonus Ingredients

This sandwich doesn’t need anything else to make it delicious, it’s already perfect as-is! But depending on what I have on hand, I’ll stick another ingredient or two in there to bulk it up. Here are a few things I’ve tried and enjoyed:

• A thick slice or two of heirloom tomato, sprinkled with salt and pepper

• A couple of slices of crispy bacon

• A small handful of sprouts or arugula topped with a squeeze of lemon

• A few thin slices of watermelon radish
  

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Bride asks friend to make wedding cake, is then 'offended' when questioned if she's paying for ingredients - New York Post

A social media debate is underway about whether brides should be asking their wedding guests to fulfill costly favors — such as baking a cake for the big day — in place of gifts after a bride’s specific inquiry was shared online for discussion.

A Reddit user uploaded a Facebook post screenshot — which an anonymous bride-to-be reportedly wrote in a wedding planning group — to the “Wedding Shaming” subreddit, a 567,000-member forum where Reddit users shame wedding ideas, themes and social interactions.

The anonymous bride appears to have asked members of the Facebook group if she’s wrong for being upset that a friend she tasked with making her wedding cake is asking if she’ll receive compensation for the ingredients.

“I’ve asked my friend to make the wedding cake for me for 75+ people and she’s come back asking if I’m contributing to the cost of the cake, as it’s going to cost her $300+ to make it,” the bride’s post began, according to the uploaded screenshot.

The post continued, “Am I wrong to be offended that she’s not gifting me the cake as a wedding present?”

The screenshotted post was uploaded to the “Wedding Shaming” subreddit on Wednesday, Aug. 23, with a “greedy” label.

The bride wrote that she’s offended her friend isn’t making the cake for free as a wedding gift.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

A debate with dozens of comments kicked off when a Reddit user posted this screenshot.

Reddit

What do wedding experts think?

Megan Nova, a New York City-based wedding planner and writer of the Awesome Bridal wedding planning blog, told Fox News Digital that the anonymous bride shouldn’t be mad at her friend for asking about ingredient cost contributions.

“Wedding tradition and etiquette dictates that the bride’s family caters for the wedding cake costs at the reception,” she said.

Nova reasoned that the bride’s friend may not be able to afford to make such a large cake for free.

Over 510 Reddit users upvoted the post and many users commented that they think the anonymous bride is being unreasonable.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

“The bride and her friend can come to a peaceful resolution by openly communicating about the issue, actively listening to each other and reviewing options to find solutions that benefit each one of them,” said Nova.

Personal finance and etiquette experts previously told FOX Business that $50 is an acceptable starting point for wedding gifts, and guests can choose to spend more depending on their finances and their relationship with the bride or groom.

Reddit users’ consensus? 

Over 510 Reddit users upvoted the post and dozens of users commented that they think the anonymous bride is being unreasonable for wanting her friend to cover all the cake-making costs.

Several commenters pointed out that the friend only asked the bride to pay for cake ingredients and not the labor it will take to bake and decorate the wedding cake.

“If I hire a friend to do something for me (which I don’t often, but I have), I pay full price and I’m happy to do so,” one commenter wrote.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

“If someone was a real friend, they would want to pay you for your time. As well as skills,” one Reddit user wrote. “I don’t like how people feel entitled to free services because their friend has a skill set that could be useful.”

“Sure, discounts are nice, but your friends have bills to pay just like everyone else,” another Reddit user wrote. 

“If I hire a friend to do something for me (which I don’t often, but I have), I pay full price and I’m happy to do so.”

The post was titled “The entitlement is strong with this one” when uploaded to the “Wedding Shaming” subreddit.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

One Reddit user questioned if the anonymous bride would be willing to spend $300 on a wedding gift for her friend if their roles were reversed.

The Reddit user guessed the bride “probably” wouldn’t be generous enough to purchase a $300 wedding gift or provide a $300 wedding service. 

“Why should she expect her friend to spend $300 on ingredients? We’re not even talking about the value of her time and skill here,” the Reddit user wrote.

“I don’t like how people feel entitled to free services because their friend has a skill set that could be useful,” another commenter wrote.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Another Reddit user wrote that she was “gifted a cake by a friend” who “never made a cake before,” but offered to do it anyway.

“I offered to pay her for the time and supplies. She declined and made it the wedding gift from her and her husband,” the Reddit user went on. 

“At no point did I assume anything would be done as a gift or for free. It should never be assumed.”

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Out Of Pesto Ingredients? Learn How To Whip Up A Delicious Batch With What You Have - NDTV

Pesto is a popular Italian condiment used in various recipes

Cooking is an art that empowers your creative mind to take flight. However, what often poses a challenge are the ingredients. While there are countless global recipes to explore, sourcing the right ingredients for a particular dish can become a hurdle. This is where your creativity comes into play. Instead of giving up on a dish entirely, consider seeking alternative ingredients that can be incorporated into the recipe. Opting for a suitable substitute not only enables you to complete the dish but also imparts an entirely new character to it. We recently embarked on such an experiment with the humble pesto. Let's delve into the specifics.

What Is Pesto Sauce? What Makes It Distinctive?

Pesto, or pesto sauce, is a beloved Italian condiment extensively used in various dishes. The term "pesto" originates from the Italian word 'pestare,' meaning to pound or crush. An authentic pesto entails pounding fresh basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a mortar and pestle, followed by the addition of cheese and olive oil. Some recipes also incorporate black pepper and lemon juice to enhance the flavours. Pesto finds its way into dishes like spaghetti, steak, seafood, and many other delectable preparations. So much so that in 2018, it earned a spot on the United Nations' List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Can Pesto Be Prepared Without Basil and Pine Nuts?

In India, acquiring fresh basil and pine nuts for crafting pesto sauce can often be a challenge. But what if we told you that you can still craft this delectable condiment at home? That's right. All you need to do is identify the appropriate alternatives, and presto! When basil and pine nuts are unavailable, spinach and cashew nuts can step in - both of which are readily found in an Indian kitchen.
Also Read: Love Chicken Pasta? Here's A Quick Recipe For Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

_{Photo Credit: iStock}

Homemade Pesto Recipe: How To Make Pesto Sauce

This recipe is remarkably simple. Start by cleaning the spinach, blanching it, and adding it to a grinder. Simultaneously, toss in some cashew nuts or almonds (whichever is on hand), garlic, salt, and black pepper, and grind until a smooth paste forms. Take ample time to ensure thorough blending of each ingredient.
Next, introduce some lemon juice, olive oil, and grated cheese, and blend once more until a seamless paste is achieved. While the classic pesto recipe calls for mozzarella cheese, we utilized regular processed cheese cubes readily available in the market.
For a detailed recipe of homemade pesto without basil, click here.

Bonus Tip: How To Use This Pesto In Your Dish

1. Toss with Pasta: Boil pasta and combine it with the sauce for a delightful meal. Enhance the flavours by adding olives and cheese.

2. Use as a marinade: Elevate the taste of chicken or meat steak by marinating them with pesto sauce before roasting.

3. Use as sauce: If you relish butter garlic mushrooms or butter prawns, consider infusing some pesto into the butter sauce. The result is a delectable delight.

4. Use as spread: Toast slices of bread and spread the pesto sauce on top. Sprinkle with grated cheese for a scrumptious pesto bread.
If you have a bunch of spinach on hand, we recommend giving this a try right away and relishing a scrumptious meal with your family this weekend.

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Out Of Pesto Ingredients? Learn How To Whip Up A Delicious Batch With What You Have - NDTV
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This 3-Ingredient Trader Joe's Cucumber Sandwich Is My Favorite Summer Lunch - Yahoo Life

It takes just 5 minutes to make.

Welcome to Fearless Meals, a column where we help you get through your busy week with speedy, easy, low-stress dinner recipes that call for 5 ingredients or less from our favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's.

One of my favorite combos is cucumbers and cream cheese. There’s something about the mellow crunch of the cucumber with the tangy creaminess of the cheese that is just magic. There’s a reason cucumber sandwiches are a thing.

But just plain cream cheese and cucumber can be a bit, well, bland. That’s why many cucumber sandwich recipes incorporate herbs and seasonings to give it a little oomph. But why go through all of that trouble when Trader Joe’s has me covered?

The day I discovered TJ’s Red Pepper, Garlic, and Parmesan Cream Cheese Spread, my consumption of cucumber sandwiches went through the roof. Spiked with just the right amount of garlic, a quick slather of this flavorful cream cheese and a few cucumber slices are all the sandwich filling you need for an ideal summer lunch.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

The Best Cucumber for Cucumber Sandwiches

My favorite cucumbers, hands down, are Persian cucumbers. The little cukes have thin skins, small and tender seeds, and a nice crunch. They’re usually available year-round at Trader Joe’s. They’re also a good size and shape for filling up a single sandwich.

Hothouse or English cucumbers are also a good choice year-round. Any cucumbers will do, but I recommend at least partially peeling cucumbers with thick, waxy skins and scooping out any tough seeds for the best experience.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

The Best Bread for Cucumber Sandwiches

The classic choice for tea time is a squishy white or whole wheat bread with the crusts trimmed. I’m not quite fussy enough for that, but go for it if you’d like to take the traditional route. It’d be lovely to make a few sandwiches, trim the crusts, and cut them into triangles for tea time.

I really love sourdough, so I tend to use a seeded sourdough and, if it’s not super fresh, I’ll toast it a bit first. That’s what I have around and what I like to eat, so your best bet will be to make this sandwich using your favorite sandwich bread.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

How To Make 3-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Cucumber Sandwich

To make 1 sandwich, you’ll need:

Trim the ends off of the cucumber. Slice lengthwise into long, thin slices. Strips are less likely to come tumbling out of your sandwich than round slices.

Spread a nice layer of cream cheese on each slice of bread. Top one with the slices of cucumber and sandwich the slices together. Slice in half or into quarters and serve.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

Bonus Ingredients

This sandwich doesn’t need anything else to make it delicious, it’s already perfect as-is! But depending on what I have on hand, I’ll stick another ingredient or two in there to bulk it up. Here are a few things I’ve tried and enjoyed:

• A thick slice or two of heirloom tomato, sprinkled with salt and pepper

• A couple of slices of crispy bacon

• A small handful of sprouts or arugula topped with a squeeze of lemon

• A few thin slices of watermelon radish
  

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This 3-Ingredient Trader Joe's Cucumber Sandwich Is My Favorite Summer Lunch - Yahoo Life
Read More

Bride asks friend to make wedding cake, is then 'offended' when questioned if she's paying for ingredients - Fox News

A social media debate is underway about whether brides should be asking their wedding guests to fulfill costly favors — such as baking a cake for the big day — in place of gifts after a bride’s specific inquiry was shared online for discussion.

A Reddit user uploaded a Facebook post screenshot — which an anonymous bride-to-be reportedly wrote in a wedding planning group — to the "Wedding Shaming" subreddit, a 567,000-member forum where Reddit users shame wedding ideas, themes and social interactions.

The anonymous bride appears to have asked members of the Facebook group if she’s wrong for being upset that a friend she tasked with making her wedding cake is asking if she’ll receive compensation for the ingredients.

WEDDING DRAMA ERUPTS AS BRIDE EXPLODES WHEN YOUNG BOY WEARS WHITE, COUPLE NO LONGER SPEAKING

"I've asked my friend to make the wedding cake for me for 75+ people and she's come back asking if I'm contributing to the cost of the cake, as it's going to cost her $300+ to make it," the bride’s post began, according to the uploaded screenshot.

The post continued, "Am I wrong to be offended that she's not gifting me the cake as a wedding present?"

Reddit users are "shaming" an anonymous bride who asked a Facebook group if she's wrong for feeling "offended" about her friend's inquiry about whether she'll contribute funds to cover wedding cake ingredients. The friend is reportedly baking the cake. (iStock)

The screenshotted post was uploaded to the "Wedding Shaming" subreddit on Wednesday, Aug. 23, with a "greedy" label.

What do wedding experts think?

Megan Nova, a New York City-based wedding planner and writer of the Awesome Bridal wedding planning blog, told Fox News Digital that the anonymous bride shouldn’t be mad at her friend for asking about ingredient cost contributions.

"Wedding tradition and etiquette dictates that the bride’s family caters for the wedding cake costs at the reception," she said.

BRIDE WHO WENT VIRAL FOR MAKING HER OWN WEDDING CAKE RESPONDS TO CRITICS: 'AMAZING EXPERIENCE'

Nova reasoned that the bride’s friend may not be able to afford to make such a large cake for free.

"The bride and her friend can come to a peaceful resolution by openly communicating about the issue, actively listening to each other and reviewing options to find solutions that benefit each one of them," said Nova.

Personal finance and wedding etiquette experts agree that $50 is an acceptable starting point for wedding gifts — but some guests can spend up to $200 or more if they so desire. (iStock)

Personal finance and etiquette experts previously told FOX Business that $50 is an acceptable starting point for wedding gifts, and guests can choose to spend more depending on their finances and their relationship with the bride or groom.

Reddit users' consensus? 

Over 510 Reddit users upvoted the post and dozens of users commented that they think the anonymous bride is being unreasonable for wanting her friend to cover all the cake-making costs.

WHO PAYS FOR WHAT IN A WEDDING?

Several commenters pointed out that the friend only asked the bride to pay for cake ingredients and not the labor it will take to bake and decorate the wedding cake.

"Sure, discounts are nice, but your friends have bills to pay just like everyone else."

"If someone was a real friend, they would want to pay you for your time. As well as skills," one Reddit user wrote. "I don't like how people feel entitled to free services because their friend has a skill set that could be useful."

COUPLE SPEAKS OUT AFTER VIDEO GAME-THEMED WEDDING CAKE TOPPER UNEXPECTEDLY GOES VIRAL   

"Sure, discounts are nice, but your friends have bills to pay just like everyone else," another Reddit user wrote. 

"If I hire a friend to do something for me (which I don’t often, but I have), I pay full price and I’m happy to do so."

Most Reddit users claim they'd be willing to pay their friends for completing a wedding service for them. (iStock)

One Reddit user questioned if the anonymous bride would be willing to spend $300 on a wedding gift for her friend if their roles were reversed.

The Reddit user guessed the bride "probably" wouldn’t be generous enough to purchase a $300 wedding gift or provide a $300 wedding service. 

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"Why should she expect her friend to spend $300 on ingredients? We’re not even talking about the value of her time and skill here," the Reddit user wrote.

Brides and wedding guests who are completing DIY tasks should work together to find mutually beneficial solutions, said one wedding planner in New York City (not pictured).  (iStock)

Another Reddit user wrote that she was "gifted a cake by a friend" who "never made a cake before," but offered to do it anyway.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"I offered to pay her for the time and supplies. She declined and made it the wedding gift from her and her husband," the Reddit user went on. 

"At no point did I assume anything would be done as a gift or for free. It should never be assumed."

Cortney Moore is an associate lifestyle writer on the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.

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Bride asks friend to make wedding cake, is then 'offended' when questioned if she's paying for ingredients - Fox News
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Valerie Bertinelli Just Shared a Yummy 4-Ingredient Anti-Inflammatory Dessert - EatingWell

If there's anyone we trust to give us a classic recipe that they've been enjoying for years, it's Valerie Bertinelli. We loved her favorite old-fashioned snack, and now the actor and Food Network host has another simple recipe to share.

In a recent Instagram post, Bertinelli shared an easy dessert that only takes four ingredients to make. It's customizable, tasty and may even help reduce inflammation. Here's what she had to say about her go-to cold dessert.

"I made chia pudding for my treat for the day," Bertinelli said at the start of her Instagram reel. "And it's really easy: you take 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and a half a cup of liquid."

Chia seeds have so many health benefits, as they can help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and can help promote weight loss, if that is your goal. Chia pudding is a great way to incorporate the healthy seeds into your diet in a delicious way.

Plus, the liquid that Bertinelli added was Core Power's Strawberry Banana High-Protein Shake. We named Core Power as our favorite protein shake on the market in EatingWell's protein shake taste test, so we definitely approve of this option!

"I stirred it up, put it in the fridge, let it sit for about four hours," Bertinelli explained. "Overnight's better, but I forgot to make it last night. And then I put a little bit of vanilla yogurt on top and some fresh blackberries."

Topping off the pudding with blackberries and yogurt adds an extra anti-inflammatory punch to this recipe. Adding these foods into your eating pattern can contribute to reducing inflammation, and combat symptoms like joint stiffness, mental fog and digestive issues.

That's all it takes! Just four ingredients for a fruity and satisfying bite. Bertinelli's recipe is very similar to our own chia pudding formula that we absolutely swear by. It's completely customizable and so easy to make ahead of time.

It's so nutritious that you could actually eat it for breakfast and be fueled to take on the rest of the morning. Recipes like our Chai Chia Pudding and Berry-Orange Chia Pudding are perfect for adding to your morning routine.

P.S. to Valerie: Since you mentioned that you're looking for low-sugar yogurt recommendations in your video, check out these editor-loved plant-based yogurts that have no more than 4 grams of added sugar per serving.

Up next: Tres Leches-Inspired Overnight Oats Taste Like Dessert for Breakfast

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Don't waste money on turmeric supplements—unless they contain up to 95% of this key ingredient - CNBC

Turmeric is a staple in many cultures, especially in eastern Asia, and lots of people believe it is beneficial for joint pain and inflammation.

The plant has been used for thousands of years in cooking typically in the form of a ground powder, and many people add turmeric to their diets in the form of juice, tea and supplements with the goal of bolstering their immune systems and improving digestive health.

Other health benefits people attribute to turmeric include:

• Improvement in mood
• Better skin when applied topically
• Reduced allergy symptoms
• Aid for high cholesterol

Turmeric supplements will cost you anywhere between $14 and $30, but are they actually beneficial for health? The answer is actually trickier than you'd think.

While it is possible that a daily turmeric supplement may help with certain things like reducing inflammation, research shows that an active ingredient found in turmeric, may be much better at achieving those health outcomes.

Curcumin may have more health benefits than turmeric

The active component in turmeric that is most responsible for the health benefits people are looking for is called curcumin.

But unfortunately, "turmeric only contains a very small percentage of curcumin," roughly two to six percent, according to Dr. Elizabeth Ko, an internist and medical director of the UCLA Health Integrative Medicine Collaborative.

"Curcumin is where we find the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effect that can help treat or prevent diseases like arthritis."

Should you have a choice between turmeric and curcumin, I would opt for the curcumin.

Dr. Elizabeth Ko

Internist

A systematic review published in 2021 that analyzed more than 10 randomized controlled trials found that curcumin supplements may be helpful for managing osteoarthritis.

And earlier this year, the Arthritis Foundation updated its guidance, stating that turmeric supplements likely won't help reduce symptoms of arthritis but curcumin supplements might.

"Should you have a choice between turmeric and curcumin, I would opt for the curcumin," says Ko.

And Dr. Bhakti Shah, a rheumatologist with a private practice in New York, agrees. She recommends purchasing curcumin for decreasing inflammation within your joints over turmeric, likening curcumin's effects to that of ibuprofen with less risks of side effects.

Curcumin is a plant compound called polyphenol, and according to Shah, polyphenols may:

• Reduce risk of heart disease
• Decrease cancer risk
• Lower risk of diabetes
• Increase brain function

Though more research is required to determine curcumin's effects on a person's immune system, Shah says curcumin is an antioxidant. Research shows that antioxidants are associated with a neutralization of harmful, free radicals and an enhancement of vital immune functions.

Curcumin is best absorbed when taken with healthy fats and black pepper

"Curcumin is hard for the body to absorb, so only about two to three percent may actually end up in your bloodstream," says Ko.

However, the solution isn't to take more curcumin than recommended, says Shah. Instead, you should take curcumin supplements with black pepper or healthy fats, including eggs, yogurt or milk, which can increase the absorption of curcumin.

Curcumin is safe for daily use, the experts agree, and the standard use is 500 milligrams, twice a day, according to Ko.

Curcumin supplements can often be labeled as "turmeric curcumin," which can be confusing. As a rule of thumb, the Arthritis Foundation recommends buying "the high-quality extracts used in clinical trials, which contain up to 95% curcumin. Look for brands using black pepper (piperine), phospholipids (Meriva, BCM-95), antioxidants (CurcuWIN) or nanoparticles (Theracurmin)," for better absorption.

People shouldn't exceed 1,000 milligrams in a day, Shah adds. Potential side effects of taking very high doses of curcumin supplements are nausea and diarrhea, she notes.

Shah's important disclaimer for those looking to try curcumin supplements is: "I would encourage people to look for brands that use cleaner ingredients that don't have a lot of additional additives."

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