Description
British high tea favorite cucumber sandwiches offer a delicate blend of fresh ingredients and refined elegance. Crisp cucumber slices nestled between thin white bread create a light, refreshing treat you’ll savor with afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 English cucumber
- 16 slices high-quality soft white sandwich bread (about 1 loaf), crusts removed
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 mL) mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill
- 1 tbsp minced fresh chives
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cucumber Preparation: Strip cucumber skin in alternating patterns, using a mandolin to slice into translucent 1/8-inch rounds. Spread slices on paper towels, sprinkle with coarse salt, and let moisture draw out for 15-30 minutes.
- Moisture Removal: Pat cucumber slices thoroughly with fresh paper towels to eliminate excess liquid and salt, ensuring crisp texture.
- Cream Cheese Blend: Whip cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt into a smooth, aromatic spread using an electric mixer.
- Sandwich Assembly: Lavishly coat bread slices with herbed cream cheese mixture, layer cucumber rounds evenly, and dust with freshly cracked black pepper for depth of flavor.
- Finishing Touch: Stack cream cheese-coated bread slices to complete sandwiches, then slice diagonally into elegant triangular portions using a sharp chef’s knife.
- Presentation: Arrange tea sandwiches immediately on serving platter, presenting at ambient temperature to showcase delicate flavors and textures.
Notes
- Reduce Moisture: Salt cucumber slices for 15-30 minutes to extract excess water, preventing soggy sandwich bottoms.
- Slice with Precision: Use a mandolin or sharp knife to create ultra-thin, uniform cucumber rounds for a delicate texture.
- Blend Creamy Spread: Whip cream cheese mixture thoroughly to ensure smooth, well-incorporated flavors that enhance sandwich elegance.
- Serve Immediately: Plate tea sandwiches right after preparation to maintain crisp texture and fresh taste at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 153 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg