Herb Garden Tea Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
Summer Solstice Sandwiches
~ Cheese and Tomato with Salad Cream ~
~ Herb Garden Tea Sandwiches with Cream Cheese ~
Cheese and Tomato with Salad Cream
As if in preparation for the Summer Solstice, the sun came out today……and so the table was set and chairs were arranged under shady trees……the heat soared and the scent of my climbing roses pervaded the air. And just a note for all of you pedants out there, the Summer Solstice is a day earlier this year, due to 2012 being a leap year…… the longest day (in the Northern Hemisphere) usually falls on the 21st of June, give or take a few hours, but the official date for 2012 is today, the 20th June. So what to prepare for a summery lunch in the garden, nothing too hot or filling, as the air was heavy and quite humid – a salad would be good, but I fancied something different today……and it was then that I turned to my magnificent Monday meal plan and remembered that I had suggested sandwiches for today, or was it yesterday!
Herb Garden Tea Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
My herb garden is coming on well, I have all the usual suspects, parsley – both flat leaf and curly, thyme, sage, bay, mint, French tarragon, rosemary, oregano and chives; but, I also have some less common herbs that are thriving this year – lovage, lemon verbena, salad burnett, borage, angelica, hyssop, sorrel – both wild and virgin, meadowsweet, chervil and lemon balm. My herb garden is set just to one side of my kitchen door, so I can step out and be amongst them straight away……there are little terracotta tubs that are set into soil, for my more pervasive herbs, and the rest jostle for position in a raised bed, under the shade of an olive tree. I am not at all neat and tidy with my herbs, but encourage them to grow in semi-organised chaos……I have never liked “neat as a pin” gardens, and I love the way that they all live side by side in herbal harmony.
Part of my Mediterranean Herb Garden
Herbs play an important role in my kitchen and home – I obviously cook and bake with them, but I also use them for room scenters as well as insect repellents and to fragrance my linen cupboard. And,when they are at their peak, I preserve them by drying them; you will always see bunches of herbs hanging up to dry in my pantry and kitchen throughout the year……ready for stuffings, pies, stews, casseroles, soups and seasoning throughout the winter months, as well as herbal tisanes and teas. So when I decided what sandwiches to make today I turned to a favourite herb of mine, salad burnett – a tender green leafy herb that tastes and smells like cucumber, and it goes to WELL with cream cheese, hence my cream cheese and herb sandwich, a well brought up tea sandwich with good manners and elegance. But, one tiny flaw, my other half is not fond of herbs and cream cheese, so I also made a round of good old fashioned cheese and tomato sandwiches, with a retro twist of adding some salad cream!
Cheese and Tomato with Salad Cream
These aren’t “haute cuisine” recipes, they are more ideas for fillings really, but, they were both enjoyed today, under the leafy shade of an old cherry tree with a warm breeze blowing, and with the prospect of an idle hour before weeding recommenced…..simple seasonal ingredients in artisan bread, in the garden on the longest day of the year, with a long glass of elderflower presse…….sybaritic and delightful and easy on the cooking, or lack of it! Enjoy your solstice bonfires, and your nocturnal picnics tonight and tomorrow……and I hope you find these sandwich fillings a little different to the usual daily fillers. See you tomorrow, Karen.
Herb Garden Tea Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
Print recipe
| Serves | 1 |
| Prep time | 3 minutes |
| Allergy | Wheat |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Bread, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack, Starter |
| Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Cold |
| Occasion | Birthday Party, Casual Party, Easter, Formal Party, Valentines day |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 2 slices of white bread (crusts cut off and saved for breadcrumbs)
- softened butter
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped herbs (such as chives, salad burnett, parsley, basil, oregano and mint)
- salt and black pepper
- whole fresh herbs (to garnish)
Note
Elegant tea sandwiches that use delicate fresh herbs from the garden. My favourite "melange" is salad burnett (cucumber flavour), chives, mint and parsley. Don't use very pungent or woody herbs such as rosemary, sage or thyme.
Directions
| Step 1 | Spread the softened butter over both slices of bread. |
| Step 2 | Mix the chopped herbs with the cream cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper. |
| Step 3 | Spread the herb cream cheese over one slice of bread and put the other slice on top. Cut into four triangles. |
| Step 4 | Arrange on a plate with whole herbs as a garnish; serve with sun, linen napkins, Pimm's cocktails, Earl Grey tea, friends, fun, laughter and freshly cut flowers. |
Cheese and Tomato Salad Cream Sandwiches
| Serves | 1 |
| Prep time | 3 minutes |
| Allergy | Wheat |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Bread, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack, Starter |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold |
| Occasion | Birthday Party, Casual Party, Easter, Formal Party, Valentines day |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 2 slices Farmhouse style sliced white bread
- softened butter
- 40g mature Cheddar cheese (cut into thin slices)
- 1 small tomato (cut into thin slices)
- salt and black pepper
- salad cream
Note
Simple cheese and tomato sandwiches with a retro twist or should I say a spoon of salad cream to liven them up! Simple and yet just a little different. Try to use a good farmhouse style bread, or home-made bread.
Directions
| Step 1 | Spread the butter over both slices of bread. |
| Step 2 | Arrange the cheese slices over one slice of bread and then add the tomatoes; season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon some salad cream over the tomatoes and place the other slice of bread on top. |
| Step 3 | Cut into four triangles and arrange on a plate. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like and serve with crisps or pickles. |
Last night’s midnight sun just below horizon, as seen by EarthSky Facebook friend Birgit Boden, north of Sweden.Notice the virga, or rain falling from the cloud, never quite reaching the ground.
bakingaddict says
I think you make these look like haute cuisine and they would look right at home in a posh restaurant. I love your herb garden! I only have a sad pot of basil which has been extremely resilient. I usually buy herbs when I need them but would love to have a herb garden one day.
Rita Ladany says
I agree addict!
Karen you British Goddess, I Love, love, love your garden.
I too have many herbs and wouldn’t live without them.
The sandwiches look delightful!
I did send you a zaar mail. Did you read it?
Karen says
I don’t go to Zaar often Rita, but will check my mail! LOVELY to see you here darlink and thanks for your lovely comments! 🙂 Karen
Karen says
Aw thanks Ros! I LOVED my cream cheese and herb sarnies, I have to admit, and they did look pretty too!
Dom says
Oh my gawd! Sooo jealous of your herb garden! I have a few large pots outside in the patio, which is actually lively but a who area would be stunning. I love your sandwiches they are perfect. I made cucumber sandwiches for the jubilee last week and the simple humble sandwich is such a joy! Xx
Karen says
I LOVE cucumber sandwiches Dom and think they are perfect for afternoon tea. The photo is just of one half of my herb garden, it extends around the back of the tree in a circle…..however, before I had this herb garden, I used to be quite happy with pots on the patio too….they work just fine that way! 🙂
Lorna says
How utterly idyllic, eating those sandwiches under a cherry tree with a warm breeze wafting through. Your herb garden is wonderful and your photos as beautiful as ever. I would like to dry herbs, as I love the idea of having them hanging in the house, but I’ve never tried it. How do you dry yours?
Karen says
I makes sure my herbs are dry, and shake all insects off them, then I simply tie them with string or a rubber band and hang them upside down in a cool, dry and usually dark place to dry; when they are dry, I crumble them up and store them on small jars and pots! Thanks for stopping by Lorna!
Jude - A Trifle Rushed says
Perfect sandwiches for tea, and as I’ve just completed another batch of Elderflower cordial a Presse sounds like a perfect treat.
I just can’t wait to get to my rather meagre herb garden in Brittany, I’m going to look at you list above for some new planting ideas!
Karen says
Thanks Jude, I LOVE elderflower presse and often drink it at lunch time……give me a shout if you need ideas re. herbs, or I can bring cuttings up for you! 🙂
Mary says
I just love sandwiches and your fillings are just perfect! I think that herb garden is a place of magic!
mary x
Karen says
Thanks Mary – I also think my herb garden is a place of magic too…..Karen
Janice says
What fantastic looking sandwiches, would love to join you for lunch!
Karen says
Any time Janice, any time….and thanks! Karen