Along with the scones, cakes and pastries, dainty finger sandwiches are a key component of afternoon tea. While they may look simple, there are some tips to make sure they both look and taste perfect.
Preparation
Decide how many finger sandwiches you are going to make. A good practice is to have one of each type per person. Finger sandwiches are best not made too far in advance, with the morning of the day of the tea being a good time. If you do not have time for preparation, a good alternative is to order afternoon tea boxes from a company like https://www.afternoonteabox.com/ to get everything you need for a delicious tea with minimal effort.
Choose Your Bread
The types of bread you use are very much a personal preference. You can have white, wholemeal, sourdough, multigrain or brioche, to name just a few. Having ready-sliced bread is best for the most even results.
When cutting the bread, use a serrated knife, preferably a bread knife, to avoid tearing it. A typical slice of bread is best cut into three fingers with the crusts cut off.
Fillings
The only limit to sandwich fillings is your imagination, so be creative and experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect finger sandwich. It is best to use real butter, taken out of the fridge at least twenty minutes before assembling the sandwiches to make it easier to spread without pulling holes in the bread.
Some sandwich ideas to get you started:
. Ham and mustard, using cured ham with your favourite wholegrain mustard. . Smoked salmon can be used alone or with cream cheese. If using alone, a delicious tip is to mix a little lemon juice into the butter. . Cucumber and cream cheese can be made extra delicious with some herbs mixed into the cheese. Use a peeler or mandoline to cut the cucumber thinly and add some salt to prevent sogginess . Egg and cress should be made with eggs that are just set and mixed with your favourite mayonnaise.
