Bridal Shower Tea Sandwich Menu

A bridal tea party needs tea sandwiches, of course, and I have 3 tasty fillings to share. These can all be spread onto plain white bread.

I like to cut the assorted filled sandwiches into different shapes so guests can easily recognize what sandwich they want - for instance the chicken salad is cut into rectangles, the pineapple is cut into hearts, and the ham is cut into triangles.  

The important thing to remember about these recipes is that it's more about the combination of flavors than the exact measurements. Start out on the lower end with mayonnaise, preserves, or pineapple, and nuts, and increase as you see fit.

These tea sandwiches are also best made a day ahead so flavors have time to marry. Spread on bread the day of the party and cover prepared sandwiches with a damp paper towel and then plastic wrap, so that the bread doesn't dry out.

Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups shredded or chopped chicken

3/4 cup mayonnaise (or more if needed)

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup celery, diced

1/3 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted

Directions:

Chop chicken very finely (I put it in a food processor and pulsed 3-4 times until minced).

In a bowl, combine chicken and mayonnaise, and mix well.  Add curry and continue to mix.

Fold in remaining ingredients.

Spread on bread, remove crusts, and cut into shapes.

Pineapple Nut Tea Sandwich

Ingredients:

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained

1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:

Combine cream cheese and crushed pineapple until well blended.

Add pecans and fold into mixture.

Spread on one slice of bread and top with other slice.  Remove crusts and cut into shapes as desired.

Apricot & Ham Tea Sandwich

Ingredients:

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

2 tablespoons apricot preserves

sliced ham

Directions:

Combine cream cheese and preserves until well blended. 

Spread a layer on both slices of bread, on one side.  Place a slice of ham on one side and top with other side.  Cut off crusts and cut in to shapes as desired.