Tea sandwiches (or finger sandwiches) usually take the form of a food that can be eaten in two or three bites, and are traditionally served along with afternoon tea.
What makes a tea sandwich the perfect afternoon tea food, is that it is filling enough to get folks by when a main meal is still hours away. This is the concept and reason for afternoon tea.
The sandwich can be many things, but the bread is generally wheat, rye, or pumpernickel. The crust is shaved away leaving just the middle part, and the shape is either long or triangular. The bread may also have a light coating of butter before any spreads are added.
What makes a finger sandwich a delight for many is the variety of spreads that can go on the bread.
They can be as simple as just cream cheese and jelly, or be as creative as curried chicken or smoked salmon!
For the most part, the spreads are light, and have vegetables such as cucumber, radish, or watercress mixed in with either mayonnaise or cream cheese.
Some expensive spread may include sturgeon eggs as well.
Other ideas are:
Egg salad
Tuna fish
Cranberries or other berries
Mixed nuts
Peanut butter
While most of these sandwiches are more commonly enjoyed with afternoon tea, some can also make a great breakfast if one were to put eggs, bacon, sausage, or ham between the small slices.
Another simple way to make the sandwich is to find some butter crackers and put your favorite spread on them!
These finger sandwiches are yet another way one can enjoy food with tea.
