Most people think of tea sandwiches when they think of Afternoon Tea. Crustless sandwiches are the benchmark of tea trays for hundreds of years. They also are found at Garden Parties, which I like to call tea outside.
Tea Basics
Check out Online Guide to Afternoon Tea for full history.
- In 1662 Catherine of Braganza of Portugal married Charles II and brought with her the preference for tea over alcohol to Court.
- 1830/40’s. Anne, Duchess of Bedford, one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting “invented” the Afternoon Tea, having food brought to her room in the afternoon; some ladies were invited, others set about gathering their own friends together.
- Afternoon Tea is likely what you are going to want to book. It is the tea service served with the little sandwiches, scones and tea.
- Cream Tea is a tea service with just scones, cakes, clotted cream and tea. No lovely little crustless sandwiches, I’m afraid.
- Think of High Tea as supper, not time for scones.
- When building your tea tray, the preferred order is scones on top, sweets and fruit in the middle and the savouries–wee tarts and sandwiches–on the bottom layer.
- Your freezer (or your local grocer) is your friend when preparing your tea party. Sandwiches need to be made fresh, but you can freeze much of your baked goods.
- Allow 5 savoury items per person, 3 or 4 different types of sweets.
Types of Sandwiches Served at Afternoon Tea
If you have kids, you are probably already a pro at making little crustless sandwiches. Here are a few variations (all crustless, of course) which you can prepare to plate on their own, or to add to the bottom level of your three-tiered tray.
Lovely Little Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches are a staple on your tea tray. If you can cut crusts off bread you are halfway home.
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
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