Lunch recipes: Double Salmon and Chives on Rye, Deviled Egg Salad Sandwiches, Cucumber and Avocado Gazpacho With Grapes

Makes about 3 cups, or 6 servings.

Note: This salmon spread also tastes great on a toasted pumpernickel bagel. From the Chicago Tribune.

• 1 (8-oz.) pkg. light cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 c. sour cream

• Finely grated lemon zest from ½ lemon

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 c. finely chopped fresh fennel bulb (or celery)

• 1/4 c. finely diced roasted red bell pepper (homemade or jarred)

• 1/4 c. chopped fresh chives

• 4 oz. smoked salmon, chopped, about 1 c.

• 1 (6-oz.) can wild Alaskan red or pink salmon, drained, flaked

• 6 to 12 slices hearty rye bread

• Garnishes: Fresh fennel fronds, shaved fresh fennel bulb, sliced tomato, thin apple slices

Directions

Stir softened cream cheese and sour cream together in medium bowl until smooth. Stir in lemon zest, salt, pepper and hot sauce until well mixed. Stir in fennel, red pepper and chives. Fold in smoked and canned salmon. Refrigerate covered up to 3 or 4 days.

To assemble sandwiches, spread a thin layer of soft butter (if using) over one side of a slice of bread. Top with a 1/2-inch-thick schmear of the salmon mixture. Garnish as desired. Serve with a knife and fork. (Or top with a second slice of buttered bread, and skip the utensils.)

Calories249Fat10 gSodium733 mg

Carbohydrates19 gSaturated fat4 gTotal sugars5 mg

Protein18 gCholesterol57 mgDietary fiber2 g

Serves 4.

Note: This salad also tastes great on slices of toasted baguette, ciabatta rolls or whole-wheat bread. From the Chicago Tribune.

• 1/2 c. mayonnaise

• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 c. finely minced fresh onion, rinsed well before using

• 1 to 2 tsp. drained capers, chopped (or use cornichons or dill pickle)

• Softened butter, optional

• 4 to 8 slices hearty rye bread

• Sweet paprika

• Chopped fresh chives

To hard-cook eggs, put them in a single layer in the bottom of a large saucepan. Add cold water to cover them by 1 inch. Heat over high heat to a boil. (Watch closely.) Boil for 1 minute — use a timer. Immediately turn off heat and set the timer for 14 minutes. When the timer rings, carefully pour off the hot water and fill the pan with cold water and a couple of handfuls of ice cubes to chill the eggs fast. Let stand until eggs feel cool. Remove from water, and refrigerate covered for several days.

Mix mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in onion, celery and capers. Peel eggs. Put 6 on a cutting board; chop roughly with a large knife. Add the chopped egg to the mayonnaise mixture; fold together gently. Taste and adjust salt if necessary. Thinly slice the remaining 2 eggs.

To assemble sandwiches, spread a thin layer of soft butter (if using) over one side of a slice of bread. Top with a 1/2-inch-thick schmear of the egg mixture. Top with sliced egg, a sprinkle of paprika and fresh chives. Serve with a knife and fork. (Or top with a second slice of buttered bread.)

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories412Fat31 gSodium811 mg

Protein15 gCholesterol384 mgDietary fiber2 g

Makes 4 cups.

Note: From the Chicago Tribune.

• 1 large seedless cucumber, 14 to 15 oz., ends removed

• 1 c. vegetable broth

• 1/2 small jalapeño, halved, seeded

• Leaves from 1 large sprig mint, about 1 tbsp., roughly chopped

• 1 large ripe avocado, halved, pitted

• Juice of 1/2 lime, or more to taste

• 1/2 to 1 tsp. salt

• Diced ripe avocado

• Chopped chives

Directions

Use a vegetable peeler to remove and discard half of the cucumber peel. (This helps prevent bitterness.) Roughly chop the cucumber. You should have 3 loosely packed cups.

Put cucumber, broth, onions, jalapeño and mint leaves into a blender. Process until very smooth. Refrigerate in the blender jar, covered, about 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

To serve, pour into soup bowls. Garnish with grapes, diced avocado and chives.

Nutrition information per serving of 1 cup:

Calories101Fat8 gSodium334 mg

Carbohydrates9 gSaturated fat1 gTotal sugars2 mg