Tea sandwiches are a staple of English cuisine. They have graced Afternoon Tea trays and have been served at garden parties for hundreds of years. They are traditionally light, delicate sandwiches sliced small enough to be picked up with the fingers or those little sandwich tongs. They can be cut into triangles or, using cookie cutters, shapes for special occasions.
Tips:
- Prepare your fillings ahead of time to let the flavours settle and to help save you time in your final assembly.
- Your sandwiches don’t all have to be on white bread. You can also use whole wheat which gives a nice contrast in color, but I would have the multi-grain and heavier breads for another purpose. This is a dainty food experience.
- You may make these lower in fat by using lower-fat mayo.
- Be frugal and dry out the crusts to use bread crumbs for your croutons (invented by Count Rumford who also invented the soup kitchen)
Lovely Little Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches are a staple on your tea tray. If you can cut crusts off bread you are halfway home.
Servings 4
Ingredients
Cucumber Sandwiches
- 6 slices bread, fresh crusts removed
- 1 tbsp. butter, unsalted softened
- 10 slices seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
Tuna Sandwiches
- 6 slices bread, fresh crusts removed
- 1 can tuna, drained
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Smoked Salmon Sandwiches
- 2 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices smoked salmon
- 6 slices bread, fresh crusts removed
Egg Sandwiches
- 6 slices bread, fresh crusts removed
- 3 eggs soft boiled
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Watercress Sandwiches
- 1/4 cup watercress tough stems removed
- 2 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices bread, fresh crusts removed
Instructions
Cucumber Sandwiches
- Butter each slice of the bread then place the thin slices on one slice. Top with the other and cut into the shape that you like. Garnish if desired.
Tuna Sandwiches
- Mix the tuna with enough mayonnaise to make a thick spread. Spread on prepared slices of bread. You may add thin slices of cucumber if desired along with garnish. Cut into your desired shape.
Smoked Salmon Sandwiches
- Spread the cream cheese on prepared slices of bread. Place thin slices of smoked salmon between slices of bread. Cut into your desired shape.
Egg Sandwiches
- Mix sectioned boiled egg and mayonnaise (or use store bought egg salad) and season as desired. Spread on slices of prepared bread. Add thin slices of cucumber if desired, along with garnish. Cut into your desired shape.
Watercress Sandwiches
- Spread cream cheese on prepared slices of bread. Place the watercress between the slices of bread. Garnish if desired. Cut into your desired shape
Notes
