In the realm of quintessential English tea-time snacks, the cucumber sandwich holds an esteemed place, embodying elegance and simplicity. This classic delicacy, often associated with garden parties and afternoon teas, has a refreshing appeal that transcends seasons and occasions. Today, I’m excited to share with you a beloved recipe for Classic Cucumber Sandwiches, a delightful treat that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients:
Before we embark on our culinary journey, let’s gather the ingredients that will bring our cucumber sandwiches to life:
- 16 slices high-quality soft white sandwich bread (about 1 loaf), crusts removed
- 1 English cucumber
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
With these simple, yet flavorful ingredients, we’re set to create a snack that’s both sophisticated and satisfying.
Directions:
Creating these cucumber sandwiches involves a few meticulous, yet straightforward steps. Let’s walk through them together:
- Prepare the Cucumber: Begin by peeling the cucumber in stripes, giving it a decorative flair. Then, slice it into 1/8-inch thin pieces. A mandolin is ideal for this task, ensuring uniform thickness, but a sharp knife will also do the trick. Lay out the slices on paper towels and lightly sprinkle with coarse salt. This process helps draw out moisture, ensuring your sandwiches stay crisp. Let the cucumber slices rest for 15-30 minutes, then pat them dry with clean paper towels.
- Make the Herbed Cream Cheese Spread: While the cucumbers are resting, prepare the spread. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Use a handheld mixer to blend until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese on one side of each bread slice. Then, arrange the cucumber slices over half of the bread slices, and season them with fresh cracked black pepper to taste. Place the remaining slices of bread on top, cream cheese side down, to complete the sandwiches.
- Final Touches: With a sharp chef’s knife, cut each sandwich into quarters, creating perfect bite-sized tea sandwiches. This step not only makes them more manageable to eat but also adds to their visual appeal.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Classic Cucumber Sandwiches are now ready to be served. They are best enjoyed fresh, accompanied by a cup of your favorite tea or as part of a larger afternoon tea spread.
Nutritional Information:
Each serving of these delightful sandwiches is approximately 200 kcal, making them a light yet satisfying option. This recipe yields 8 servings, ensuring there’s enough to go around whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon at home.
Closing Thoughts:
There’s something undeniably comforting and refined about a well-made cucumber sandwich. Its simplicity highlights the importance of using high-quality ingredients, from the crispness of the cucumber to the softness of the bread. This recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, with the freshness of dill and chives, the tanginess of lemon, and the creamy richness of cream cheese.
Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado of afternoon teas or looking to recreate a bit of culinary tradition at home, these Classic Cucumber Sandwiches promise to transport you to a place of leisure and elegance. So, gather your ingredients and take a moment to indulge in the timeless pleasure of crafting and savoring these exquisite sandwiches.
Classic Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients:
16 slices high-quality soft white sandwich bread (about 1 loaf), crusts removed
1 English cucumber
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Peel the cucumber in stripes and cut into 1/8-inch thin slices using a mandolin or sharp knife. Place the slices on paper towels and sprinkle with coarse salt. Let rest for 15-30 minutes to extract moisture. Pat dry with clean paper towels.
In the meantime, make the spread. In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer, blend together the softened cream cheese, mayo, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt.
Spread one side of each slice of bread with the herbed cream cheese.
Layer cucumber slices over half of the bread slices. Season with fresh cracked black pepper, to taste. Top with remaining bread slices, cream cheese mixture down. (At this point, you’ll have 8 full sandwiches.)
Using a sharp Chef’s knife, cut each sandwich into quarters, pushing through the bread down to the bottom. So you have 32 tea sandwiches.
Serve right away and enjoy!
Prep Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 200 kcal per serving | Servings: 8 servings