Cooking Classics
The Technique
The Essential Guide To Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches still remain to be an entertaining essential when hosting spring socials in the South. Morning & afternoon gatherings in particular are simply not complete without a beautiful arrangement of them often times layered with a variety of flavors. Tea sandwiches are not difficult to prepare & when you make them yourself, a collection of classic & contemporary fillings plus a few slicing techniques can be used to create a lovely offering to guests that not only look great but taste good too. Garden Herb Chicken Salad, Olive-Gorgonzola Nut Spread & Smoky Party Pimiento Cheese are just a few of the combinations that can be sandwiched between whole wheat, white or pumpernickel bread slices. They can be stacked & stacked again to create multiple layers or simply cut into a variety of shapes. When styled just so on pretty platters, tea sandwiches are as inviting & relevant today as ever. Learn how to make a quintessential party nibble fit for a number of spring gatherings from bridal teas to Kentucky Derby celebrations.
Pimiento Cheese Tea Sandwiches
makes 40 pieces
1 {8-oz} block extra sharp Cheddar cheese
1 {8-oz} block Pepper Jack cheese
1/2 {8-oz} package softened cream cheese
1 {2-oz} jar diced pimientos, drained
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 scallions, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp minced chipotle chile pepper in adobo
4 tsp adobo
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 {16-oz} loaf pumpernickel bread
Shred the cheeses on the large holes of a box grater into a large bowl. Blend in the cream cheese, the pimientos & the mayonnaise. Fold in the scallions, the garlic, the chipotle peppers & adobo & the cilantro. Season with a smattering of salt & pepper. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pimiento cheese onto one side of two bread slices. Layer them with the pimiento cheese facing upwards. Top with a third slice of bread. Remove the crusts from the bread using a serrated knife. Cut into desired shapes. Wrap each of the five portioned sandwiches individually in plastic wrap. Chill up to 1 day ahead. Arrange the pieces on a serving platter up to 30 minutes before the party begins.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Make Tea Sandwiches
Every great gathering begins with planning & logistics. From the invitations to the provisions, many tasks must be taken care of ahead of time. When it comes to selecting the menu for your party, consider the time of day & the type of function you will be hosting. Tea sandwiches are most certainly appropriate any time of day but more often times than not, they are offered during the brunch hour or in the afternoon. When accompanied with Olive-Gorgonzola Truffles, Strawberry-Lemonade Champagne Punch & a little fresh fruit, the party plate comes to life. Tea sandwiches can & should be prepared in advance so that just before the celebration, they can be arranged quickly onto serving platters.
The Essential Guide To Tea Sandwiches
With a little forethought, spring gatherings can be simple yet lavish gatherings. A few pointers regarding a traditional Southern icon, tea sandwiches, will have you ready to host an array of receptions, showers, garden parties & birthday celebrations. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
The Planning
Tea sandwiches can be prepared with many filling options. Although not necessary, a little cream cheese helps keep the edges clean when slicing the sandwiches into party-sized morsels as it adheres to bread more easily. Smoky Party Pimiento Cheese yields 3 1/3 cups & when spread over a 16-ounce loaf of pumpernickel bread slices then stacked twice, one recipe will produce about 40 pieces although this ratio can vary depending on how you choose to cut the sandwiches. Consider the type of function you’ll be hosting & how many you will be serving as a guide. The sandwiches can simply be quartered for a smaller, seated gathering if desired & pair well with a collection of fresh, updated salads such as Lemon-Dill Orzo Pasta Salad, Roasted Beet & Carrot Spinach Salad With Lentils, Farro-Pine Nut Tabbouleh Salad or accompany them with chicken salad filled canapé shells which can also be used as a second filling option for the sandwiches.
No. 2
The Preparation Logistics
Most any type of sliced sandwich bread may be used to prepare tea sandwiches. I tend to steer clear of the standard loaf due to the overly sweet flavor & ultra soft texture although this is the most traditional choice & certainly acceptable if you so choose. An important factor when choosing a bread variety is the shape. The more square or rectangular nature of the loaf will produce less waste when it’s time to trim the edges. Pumpernickel offers good flavor, eye appealing color & sturdy texture right out of the packaging. If you use a pullman style bread loaf, allow it to stand on the counter top or refrigerate the loaf a day or two before preparing the sandwiches. It will keep the bread from tearing when spreading the filling over the slices.
Once the sandwiches have been made, the crusts can be removed right away, however I find that wrapping them in plastic & chilling them at least 2 hours helps to firm them a bit & produces cleaner edges when cut using a serrated knife. Once portioned, do not separate them just yet. Wrap or rewrap the pieces in plastic as full sized sandwiches– this recipe will yield 5 sandwiches with the crusts removed. Place them in a zip-top bag & refrigerate up to 24 hours before the function.
No. 3
The Presentation
Approximately 30 minutes before guests arrive, remove the portioned sandwiches from the refrigerator & arrange them on a serving platter. If you must take care of this point earlier, cover them with a damp paper towel & refrigerate the platter so as to keep the filling well chilled & the bread from drying out. For a more modern approach, use several smaller plates & cake stands. Create an airy feel with a more organized looking design as opposed to stacking them all on one piece. Compose a vignette of tea sandwiches on the main table of party fare or integrate the plates throughout for an equally beautiful presentation.
The Tune
“Comes Love” Billie Holiday
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