Cucumber Tea Sandwiches With Tarragon Butter Food

CUCUMBER AND BUTTER TEA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Use a mandolin to cut cucumber into very thin slices. Lay slices on paper towels to drain.
• Spread a little butter on each slice of bread. Sprinkle the slices with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Layer overlapping cucumber slices on bread slices.
• Cut crust off sandwiches and then cut sandwiches into quarters.

CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the butter, parsley, chives, shallot and lemon zest.
• Lay the bread slices out on a clean work surface. Spread 2 teaspoons of the compound butter over each slice of bread. Trim the cucumber slices so that they are the length of the bread slices. (Save the scraps for salads.) Lay 4 pieces of cucumber across 1 slice of buttered bread--it is okay if the cucumbers overlap. Repeat on 5 more slices of bread. Season the top of the cucumbers lightly with salt. Next, add a single layer of radishes over the cucumbers, about 12 rounds per slice of bread.
• Toss the frisee with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Divide the frisee evenly over the radishes. Top the frisee with the remaining 6 slices buttered bread. Cut each sandwich into thirds with a serrated knife to make small rectangles. Serve immediately.

CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICH FLOWERS

Steps:

• Special equipment: Medium sized star pastry tip
• In a small mixing bowl, combine salmon cream cheese, capers, chives and lemon juice. Stir to combine thoroughly.
• Make a pastry bag by cutting a small triangle out of the bottom corner of a large zip-top bag. Place a medium sized star pastry tip on the inside of bag and fit tightly into hole. Hold pastry bag upright with 1 hand and scoop salmon cream cheese mixture into the bag with other hand. Secure top and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a small bowl, blend the butter and tarragon and set aside.
• To make sandwiches, spread tarragon butter on 2 slices of bread and place 6 to 8 cucumber slices between them. Repeat to make 15 sandwiches. Use a 3-inch flower shaped cookie cutter to stamp out sandwich flowers.
• Arrange sandwiches on serving platter. Remove pastry bag from refrigerator and pipe salmon cream cheese mixture on top of each sandwich flower.

CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICHES WITH TARRAGON BUTTER

Steps:

• Put cucumber slices into a large, non-metal bowl.
• Toss with salt. Sprinkle with vinegar.
• Toss to mix well.
• Let stand 1 hour.
• Drain well in colander.
• Blend butter, tarragon and chervil.
• To assemble, spread butter over 1 side of each bread slice. Cover 15 slices with cucumbers, dividing evenly.
• Close sandwiches.
• Trim crusts.
• Cut into 36 rectangles.
• Arrange on platter, garnished with watercress leaves.
• Optional: For looks, dip one end of a sandwich into mayonnaise, then into minced fresh parsley.

TOMATO BUTTER TEA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small pan and fry the shallots and garlic until soft. Add the tomatoes to the shallots with the tarragon. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until reduced to a thick pulp.
• Press through a sieve and leave to cool. Once cold, beat the purée slowly into the softened butter.
• Season, and make into 6 sandwiches with the white bread.
• Remove the crusts and cut each sandwich into four triangles, squares or rectangles.

ELEGANT TARRAGON AND TOMATO BUTTER TEA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small pan and fry the shallots and garlic until soft.
• Add the tomatoes to the shallots with the tarragon. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until reduced to a thick pulp.
• Press through a sieve and leave to cool. Once cold, beat the purée slowly into the softened butter.
• Season, and make into sandwiches with the white bread. Cut into fingers or triangles and serve as part of an afternoon tea, or a picnic lunch!