Mini cucumber-paprika tea sandwiches with violets
| April 18, 2010 | Posted by ameliaps under appetizers, flowers, sandwiches, spring, vegetarian |
These delightful and easy to make classic mini sandwiches are great for spring tea-time.
I always feel like the queen of England when I bite into them.
I saw the violets in my garden and thought they might make a great addition. They ARE edible after all (remember our grandmothers’ candied violets?).
The violet leafs gave a nice extra touch of visual freshness to the plate.
A few tips: use the thinnest and whitest bread you can find (I use Pepperidge farm “very thin” white), remove the crust, make sure the cucumber drains well, bring the cream cheese to room temperature.
A few substitutions: you can add lemon juice instead of Worcestershire sauce for more zing, and mint instead of chives for a fresher crisper flavor.
For extra freshness and crispness, you may add ½ cup watercress leaves chopped in the filling.
Mini cucumber-paprika tea sandwiches with violets
Makes about 20 stacked minis
1 large seedless cucumber, cleaned but not peeled
8 oz. cream cheese, softened (bring to room temperature while the cucumbers drain)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp chives, chopped finely (or green onions or mint)
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (or lemon juice)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Dash of Tabasco
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
20 slices very thin white bread
To finish: tootpicks, violet leaves and flowers
Shred the cucumber with a box grater. Lightly salt and place in a colander to drain for 1 to 2 hours until most of the liquid is gone.
Mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth and spreadable. Stir in chives. Season with Worcestershire sauce, paprika, tabasco, salt and pepper. Add the drained cucumber, stir.
Spread between slices of white thin sandwich bread, crust removed.
Cut each large square in half into rectangules and then in half again, into small squares.
Pin a toothpick between two squares. Arrange on a plate on top of violet leaves and top each sanwich with a violet flower. Serve immediately.
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so beautiful! I love how you used violets as a garnish.