Kentucky Derby Tea Sandwich Trio (Printer View)

A trio of Southern-style tea sandwiches with cucumber, egg salad, and ham on soft bread.

# What you'll need:

→ Cucumber Sandwiches

01 - 6 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
02 - 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
06 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Egg Salad Sandwiches

07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh chives, minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 6 slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed

→ Ham Sandwiches

14 - 6 slices rye sandwich bread, crusts removed
15 - 3 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
16 - 2 tablespoons Dijon or honey mustard
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Method:

01 - Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. Transfer eggs to cold water, peel carefully, and chop finely.
02 - Mix chopped eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh chives, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.
03 - Blend softened cream cheese, butter, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Spread mixture thinly on white bread slices. Layer cucumber slices evenly on three slices, then top with remaining bread. Press gently and cut each sandwich into two or three finger portions.
04 - Spread softened butter on one side of each rye bread slice. Apply mustard over butter on three slices, then layer thinly sliced ham and parsley. Top with remaining bread slices, press gently, and cut each sandwich into two or three finger portions.
05 - Spread prepared egg salad evenly over three whole wheat bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices and press gently. Cut each sandwich into two or three finger portions.
06 - Arrange all prepared sandwiches on a serving platter. Cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap until service to maintain freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Three elegant varieties mean every guest finds their favorite, and you look like you've mastered a culinary skill without the fuss.
  • These come together faster than you'd think, leaving time for other party prep instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • They're impressive enough for entertaining but honest enough to make alone on a quiet afternoon just because.
02 -
  • Removing crusts while bread is still fresh makes an enormous difference in the look and feel of the finished sandwich, but trying to do it on day-old bread creates ragged edges.
  • The secret to sandwiches that don't get soggy is patting your cucumber slices dry and spreading your fillings thinly rather than generously.
03 -
  • A sharp bread knife and a gentle sawing motion will give you clean cuts every time, while a dull knife or chopping motion creates ragged, sad-looking edges.
  • Assemble the sandwiches so the cut surfaces face up on your platter, which shows off your careful work and makes them more visually appealing.
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