Delicate specialty sandwiches, generally called English tea sandwiches, set the stage when you host a small gathering. These savory sandwiches are reminiscent of British charm, where tea parties and afternoon tea sandwiches originated.
Why Serve Tea Sandwiches?
When hosting an intimate gathering, such as tea for a small group or a baby shower, cucumber sandwiches are an excellent choice, as are egg salad sandwiches or mini-Reubens, but you don't need to reserve tea sandwiches for only small parties. Tea sandwiches can also be served at large business gatherings, such as office luncheons.
Serving little sandwiches somehow creates an air of richness about the event. If you make tea sandwiches for your next gathering, you can rest assured that your guests will feel special, which in turn can make you feel like a queen.
Creating Tea Sandwiches
When making tea sandwiches, you need to follow a few rules. First of all, you must always remember to cut tea sandwiches into fourths, whether that's into squares or triangles or by using decorative breads. Pampered Chef sells bread tubes that are designed to create narrow loaves of bread in designs such as hearts, flowers, diamonds or circles-perfect for tea sandwiches-or you can create tea sandwiches by using cookie cutters to cut through regular-sized slices of bread, eliminating the crust.
Tea Sandwiches For Children
While creamy sandwiches filled with herbs and vegetables and spiced to perfection generally top the scale when it comes to tea sandwiches for adults, such sandwiches can spell disaster when children are involved. Instead of looking for trouble, create separate tea sandwiches for each group that will be in attendance.
Surprise the children in your group by making cookie-cutter tea sandwiches. After cutting the bread into the desired shapes, spread a thin layer of peanut butter and jelly, or a thin layer of peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff over one side of each shape. Then add a second identical shape to the top, and pat together firmly but gently. Serve with banana medallions as a side dish. Equally delicious tea party sandwich ideas for a child's tea party are simple grilled cheese sandwiches or ham and cheese sandwiches made to each child's specification.
Tea Sandwiches For Adults
The following tea sandwiches will appeal to many different palates, whether your guests are looking for something more filling or something more traditional, like a cucumber sandwich.
Spicy Chicken Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients You Will Need:
1 pound chicken tenders
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup hot wing sauce
Ranch dressing
½ loaf French bread, cut into thin slices and toasted
Romaine lettuce leaves
Swiss cheese
Brown the chicken tenders in the olive oil, and slather on the wing sauce. Place a dab of Ranch dressing on one slice of bread, and then add one or two leaves of lettuce to the sandwich. Meanwhile, cut the tenders into pieces that will fit the bread. One tender usually can be cut in half and used for one sandwich. Add the chicken and then a square of Swiss cheese that fits the bread.
Tea Sandwiches with Tuna
Ingredients You Will Need:
1 can tuna, packed in water
3 tablespoons Miracle Whip
2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
4 tablespoons celery, minced
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 loaf rye cocktail bread
Make the tuna spread by mixing the ingredients and spreading the mixture carefully over one slice of bread. Add a second slice to finish the sandwich. For variation you can add lettuce, cheese and tomato.
Tea Cucumber Sandwiches
Tea and cucumber sandwiches go well together. Cucumber sandwiches can be made with 2 to 3 cucumbers, salt, ½ pint of heavy whipping cream and pepper. Discard the seeds, and cut the meat of the cucumber into tiny cubes. Place the cucumbers into a bowl, and sprinkle liberally with salt. Place a plate over the cucumbers and allow them time to weep. Weeping will take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. During this time the cucumbers will become limp, and the excess water will rise to the top of the bowl. After several hours drain the cucumbers, and pat dry.
Whip the cream until it thickens, and then fold in the cucumbers. Sprinkle with a liberal amount of freshly ground pepper, and chill. For an excellent cucumber sandwich, spread this mixture between two slices of bread with white cheese. The mixture should be thick when ready for serving.
Mini Reuben Sandwiches
Ingredients You Will Need:
1 loaf rye cocktail bread
1 loaf white cocktail bread
½ pound turkey
½ pound roast beef
1 jar sauerkraut
Provolone cheese slices
Swiss cheese slices
1 jar thousand island salad dressing
Each sandwich can be made by using all of the ingredients, or you can make the sandwiches different by making some using only turkey and some with only beef. Garnish with thousand island dressing.
 | Classic English tea sandwiches include cucumber and watercress, but don't be afraid to mix it up with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables and flavorful spreads for tea sandwiches that will make your afternoon parties everyone's favorite RSVP. |
 | Today's definition of a sandwich is broadening, as new waves of immigrants bring their cuisines-including their gourmet sandwich recipes-along with them. |
 | If you need a simple appetizer to serve at your next lunch event or gathering, create the perfect egg salad sandwich using this easy egg salad recipe. Serve a dollop of this delectable salad on top of a fancy slice of pumpernickel bread for the ultimate snack for your guests. |
 | You can create gourmet sandwich recipes by simply creating a unique sauce. Sandwiches can gain a whole new identity by treating them to these varying sauces. Jazz up your next boring sandwich with one of these easy sauce recipes. |
 | If you need a delicious snack to serve at your next tea or coffee party, create these simple cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches. These cool and refreshing treats are the perfect addition to any cup of tea. |
