Sara Ann, what a beauty of a rose. I had wanted to grow Madame Isaac for years, but got convinced on another that she wouldn't do well in our hot, dry air and sun. Noseometer had tried her, and advised me (we have similar climates.). Is yours a big climber?
OK, I hope I don't go to sleep in the middle of this recipe, but here it is--Cucumber Sandwiches. First are some tips: I use the wide country style bread to make the circles; I prefer either potato bread or buttermilk. I use a 2 inch very sharp biscuit or cookie cutter and get four circles per bread slice. The point is to get about 48 sandwiches, but this can vary a little. You can also make a few tomato sandwiches with small round tomato slices, blotted, and if desired, topped with a little fresh basil. The cayenne pepper is optional for those who don't like the zip. Now get out your best china and teapot.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Ingredients:
One loaf of wide country style white bread
1/2 cup cider vinegar and one cup water, mixed together
One large English style cucumber, or two smaller cucumbers
Filling:
One 8 ounce package of cream cheese, cut in pieces and brought to room temperature
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Using a 2 inch round biscuit cutter, cut four circles per slice of bread until you have about 48 circles; store circles in plastic bag until used.
Peel and cut cucumber/cucumbers into slices of thin circles and soak in vinegar water for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, depending how nippy you want the cucumbers.
While cucumbers soak, mix all filling ingredients together in a bowl, and beat on high speed with a portable mixer for a minute or two, until filling is thoroughly blended and slightly fluffy.
Spread each bread circle with a generous layer of filling mixture. Remove cucumbers from vinegar water, blot, and place one slice on each bread/filling circle. Arrange on a platter, have plenty of hot tea, and scarf slowly. Follow sandwiches with scones and lemon curd. Diane Brakefield
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heliotrope is poisonous, didn't know that!
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