The tea sandwiches are the stars on the afternoon tea table; you don’t move on to desserts until these small, delicious filled bites have been served and enjoyed. We might call them finger sandwiches here, but for tea, they are “finger” sandwiches, small and well-curated, to be eaten with hands in a couple of bites. British tea is a ritual, and as someone who lived in England for a month would tell you, it’s not just a cup of tea. It’s tranquility, relaxation, an event that brings family and friends together for a pleasant and restorative break. One might say there is no time. The current hectic life has no room for afternoon tea. And it’s a true shame. A real shame. Here at my place? There’s an authentic English tea service that survived the flight intact. It’s 28 years old. I remember very well all the work to pack it and protect it from bumps. You know they aren’t very gentle with luggage. Yet, it’s still here intact, and now and then, I bring it out because it deserves a place on an English table with tea sandwiches and pastries. Who fancies a steaming cup of tea?
Not to be missed
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 36 pieces
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: English
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 14 oz crustless bread (for sandwiches)
- 1 cucumber (two if small)
- as needed soft butter
- as needed lemon juice
- as needed extra virgin olive oil
- as needed salt
- 3 oz roast beef (sliced)
- as needed mustard
- as needed lettuce
- 6 oz tuna (drained weight)
- as needed mint
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- as needed butter
- as needed salt
Tools
- 1 Vegetable Peeler
- 1 Mandoline
- 1 Strainer
- 2 Bowls
- 1 Butter Spreader
- 1 Serrated Blade Knife
- 1 Reusable Lid
Steps
English cooking with some fillings my way.
Wash the cucumber and slice it thinly with a mandoline (I removed the peel, but you can keep it for a more appealing look), sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let them rest in a strainer for two hours to lose some of their water. After resting, gently squeeze the cucumber slices, transfer them to a bowl, and season with a drizzle of oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Take a long slice of white sandwich bread (remove the crust if any). Butter the slice of bread and place the cucumber slices on it. Close with another slice of bread and carefully cut into small rectangles.
Wash the lettuce and cut it into strips. Take a long slice of white sandwich bread (remove the crust if any). Spread mustard on the slice of bread and top with slices of roast beef and lettuce. Close with another slice of bread and cut into small rectangles.
Drain the oil-packed tuna and transfer it to a bowl, add some chopped mint leaves, salt (I didn’t add salt as the tuna is already flavorful), and a few drops of lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap or reusable lids and let rest in the fridge for an hour. Take a long slice of white sandwich bread (remove the crust if any). Spread butter on the slice of bread and distribute the seasoned tuna. Cover with another slice of bread and carefully cut into small rectangles.
Arrange the sandwiches on serving trays and serve with tea.
Notes
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Curiosity
Who invented sandwiches? It’s said that the Earl of Sandwich, a gambling enthusiast, held gaming sessions lasting 24/36 hours nonstop. Sleep was only caught in short naps. And if hunger struck? There was no time to waste with dishes, cutlery, and elaborate setups, especially when you had a good hand. You had to eat on the go. So one evening, he asked for bread and meat to be brought to him. The earl, with a hearty appetite, enjoyed his sandwich, won 10,000 pounds (who knows if it’s true), and from that moment on, tea or gaming snacks were always accompanied by sandwiches.
However, I prefer the story of Anna, Duchess of Bedford, who during the afternoon, in the gap between the two main meals of the day, around 4 PM, felt a bit weak (we could say peckish), so she asked for a tray with tea, bread and butter, and a treat to be served to her room. Thus, afternoon tea became a habit, and over time, a real ritual, a social occasion, for which ladies were ready to change clothes.
