Ah, the delightful world of high tea sandwiches! Whether you’re a seasoned tea enthusiast or a newbie to the art of pinkies up, you’ve come to the right place. We’re about to embark on a scrumptious journey through the realm of finger foods fit for royalty.
Now, you might be wondering why we’re going all out for these bite-sized wonders. We’ll delve into the intriguing history behind the practice of making finger sandwiches for high tea events, and we’ll even spill the tea on how to perfect that impeccable cutting technique.
So, dear reader, whether you’re planning a charming tea party or just seeking to add a touch of elegance to your snack time, fasten your seatbelts because the high tea sandwich extravaganza is about to begin! Let’s dive into these recipes and tips that’ll have you craving tea time all day long!
What Are the Traditional English High Tea Sandwiches?
Ah, the classics that stand the test of time! Traditional English high tea sandwiches are a delightful array of flavors that have graced teatime tables for centuries.
We start with the regal duo of smoked salmon and creamy cream cheese, followed by the ever-so-elegant egg salad with cress. Don’t forget the beloved coronation chicken, boasting a tantalizing blend of flavors fit for royalty.
Then, there’s the iconic ham and mustard, the refreshing cream cheese with cucumber, and the hearty roast beef with mustard. These sandwiches aren’t just tea-time treats; they’re a cherished tradition that brings joy with every bite.
1. Smoked Salmon With Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of thinly sliced bread (white or whole wheat)
- 4 oz (113g) smoked salmon
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe:
- In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with chopped dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Lay out the bread slices and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on each slice.
- Place a generous layer of smoked salmon on half of the bread slices.
- Top with the remaining slices to make sandwiches.
- Trim off the crusts, then cut each sandwich into triangles or fingers.
- Serve immediately or cover with a damp paper towel and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy the perfect balance of creamy, smoky goodness!
Meanwhile, if you are wondering about best high tea in Boston, you can read all about that in this article I have written.
2. Egg Salad With Cress
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white, whole wheat, or rye)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh cress or watercress, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped cress, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the egg salad mixture evenly onto four slices of bread.
- Top with the remaining slices of bread to form sandwiches.
- Cut off the crusts and slice into triangles or fingers.
- Serve these delightful egg salad sandwiches and savor the creamy texture with a hint of peppery freshness from the cress.
3. Coronation Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon mango chutney
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe:
- In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, curry powder, mango chutney, and lemon juice.
- Add chopped apricots and toasted almonds, then season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the coronation chicken mixture onto slices of bread.
- Create sandwiches by placing additional slices of bread on top.
- Trim the crusts and cut them into desired shapes.
- Serve these royally delicious sandwiches and let the regal flavors sweep you off your feet.
4. Ham and Mustard
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
- 8 oz (226g) thinly sliced ham
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Recipe:
- Lay out the slices of bread and spread Dijon mustard on one side of each slice.
- Lay the thinly sliced ham on four slices of bread.
- Top with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Spread softened butter on the outer sides of each sandwich.
- Grill the sandwiches in a pan over medium heat until golden brown and the cheese melts.
- Cut into fingers or triangles and serve these savory ham and mustard delights.
Meanwhile, if you are wondering about best high tea in Chicago, you can read all about that in this article I have written.
5. Cream Cheese with Cucumber
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white, whole wheat, or pumpernickel)
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Fresh dill, for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe:
- Spread softened cream cheese evenly onto all slices of bread.
- Layer thinly sliced cucumber on four slices of bread.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh dill.
- Top with the remaining slices to form sandwiches.
- Trim off the crusts and cut into desired shapes.
- Enjoy these refreshing cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches that are perfect for a delightful tea time.
6. Roast Beef with Mustard
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
- 8 oz (226g) thinly sliced roast beef
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon horseradish (optional)
- Arugula or lettuce leaves
Recipe:
- In a small bowl, mix whole grain mustard with mayonnaise and horseradish (if using).
- Spread the mustard mixture onto all slices of bread.
- Layer thinly sliced roast beef on four slices of bread.
- Top with arugula or lettuce leaves and place the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Trim the crusts and cut into triangles or fingers.
- Serve these roast beef sandwiches for a hearty and flavorful addition to your high tea spread.
You may also try these sandwiches
Expand your sandwich horizons with these delectable and unexpected combinations that’ll have your taste buds dancing!
1. Chickpea and Beetroot Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (whole wheat or multigrain)
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, mashed
- 1/2 cup cooked beetroot, grated
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Baby spinach or arugula
Recipe:
- In a bowl, combine mashed chickpeas with grated beetroot, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the mixture onto four slices of bread.
- Top with baby spinach or arugula and cover with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Cut into desired shapes and indulge in this vibrant and wholesome delight.
Meanwhile, if you are wondering about best high tea in DC, you can read all about that in this article I have written.
2. Shrimp Salad Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
- 1 lb (450g) cooked and peeled shrimp, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves
Recipe:
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped shrimp with mayonnaise, red onion, fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the shrimp salad mixture onto four slices of bread.
- Top with lettuce leaves and cover with the remaining slices to make sandwiches.
- Trim off the crusts and cut into triangles or fingers.
- Treat yourself to this seafood sensation that brings a taste of the sea to your teatime.
3. Tomato Cheddar Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white or sourdough)
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 8 oz (226g) cheddar cheese, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Fresh basil leaves
Recipe:
- Spread Dijon mustard and mayonnaise onto all slices of bread.
- Layer sliced tomatoes and cheddar cheese on four slices of bread.
- Add fresh basil leaves and cover with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Press gently and cut into desired shapes.
- Relish the simple yet delightful flavors of this tomato cheddar sandwich, perfect for a light and satisfying tea treat.
4. Bacon and Peanut Butter Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
- 8 slices of cooked bacon
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Lettuce leaves
Recipe:
- In a small bowl, mix peanut butter with honey.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture onto all slices of bread.
- Layer cooked bacon and lettuce leaves on four slices of bread.
- Top with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Trim the crusts and cut into desired shapes.
- Embrace the unusual yet delightful combination of sweet and savory in this bacon and peanut butter wonder.
5. Smoked Trout and Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (whole wheat or rye)
- 8 oz (226g) smoked trout fillets
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
- Fresh dill or parsley
Recipe:
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise with lemon juice and capers (if using).
- Spread the mayonnaise mixture onto all slices of bread.
- Lay smoked trout fillets on four slices of bread.
- Garnish with fresh dill or parsley and top with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Cut into triangles or fingers and savor the rich and smoky goodness of this delightful sandwich.
6. Carrot and Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread (whole wheat or sourdough)
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 4 oz (113g) goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- Arugula or spinach leaves
Recipe:
- Spread honey onto all slices of bread.
- Layer grated carrots on four slices of bread.
- Crumble goat cheese on top of the carrots and add chopped walnuts.
- Top with arugula or spinach leaves and cover with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.
- Press gently and cut into desired shapes.
- Indulge in the delightful balance of flavors and textures in this carrot and goat cheese sensation.
What’s the point of making finger sandwiches for high tea?
Finger sandwiches aren’t just about being cute and dainty; there’s a practical reason behind their delightful miniature size.
These tiny treats allow tea-goers to indulge in a variety of flavors without feeling overwhelmed.
By offering an assortment of sandwiches, guests can taste each unique combination, making high tea a delightful and memorable experience.
Plus, their compact size makes them easy to handle elegantly, even with a teacup in hand.
So, the next time you’re nibbling on those charming little sandwiches, remember, it’s not just about appearances; it’s a clever way to elevate your tea time with a delightful medley of flavors.
The Perfect Way to Cut Finger Sandwiches.
Creating impeccably cut finger sandwiches adds a touch of finesse to your tea party. The key to achieving neat edges is to use fresh and slightly frozen bread, which makes slicing cleaner and minimizes crust crumbling.
A sharp, serrated knife works wonders, ensuring precision and preventing squishing. To maintain consistency, stack the slices and cut them all at once. Whether you prefer dainty triangles or elegant fingers, a steady hand and patience are your best friends.
So, embrace the art of precision, and your high tea guests will surely be impressed by your picture-perfect finger sandwiches.
What kind of bread works best for finger sandwiches?
The bread you choose can make or break your finger sandwiches. Opt for soft, thinly sliced bread, as it offers a delicate texture that complements the fillings. Classic white, whole wheat, or rye bread are popular choices, but you can get creative with flavored options like sourdough or pumpernickel.
Remove the crusts to maintain a refined appearance, and if you want to go all out, consider using crustless bread. For gluten-free options, rice paper or lettuce leaves can serve as alternative wraps.
Remember, the bread is the canvas on which your fillings shine, so choose wisely to ensure a delightful high tea experience.
Tips on Preparing Finger Sandwiches for High Tea Events
Hosting a high tea event and serving finger sandwiches with finesse is a true art. Here are some tips to elevate your sandwich game:
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest and highest quality ingredients for the best flavors.
- Preparation Ahead: Prepare fillings in advance and assemble sandwiches just before serving to keep the bread fresh.
- Layering: Layer spreads on both sides of the bread to prevent sogginess from moist fillings.
- Keep It Small: Bite-sized sandwiches are ideal for high tea, making them easy to handle and savor.
- Variety: Offer a diverse selection of fillings to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.
- Presentation: Arrange sandwiches beautifully on tiered trays or platters for an inviting display.
- Labeling: Consider labeling sandwich varieties, especially for unique combinations, to intrigue guests.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a high tea sandwich connoisseur, impressing your guests with an enchanting and delectable spread.
