When thinking about British cuisine, our minds usually go to full English breakfasts, fish and chips, and afternoon tea. While these are iconic British dishes, there is also another that often gets overlooked – the cucumber sandwich. This simple yet elegant snack has been part of countless afternoon tea tables and continues to be a beloved tradition in the UK.
The origins of the cucumber sandwich are intertwined with the history of afternoon tea, a ritual that began in the early 19th century. A light meal designed to fill the gap between lunch and dinner, it became a social event, complete with a selection of sandwiches, pastries, and cakes. The cucumber sandwich, with its delicate flavours and simple preparation, quickly became a staple of this tradition.
A classic cucumber sandwich can seem quite simple, but here is how to prepare one in a way that achieves the perfect balance of flavour and texture:
Ingredients: cucumber (thinly sliced), soft bread of choice, unsalted butter, a pinch of salt, cream cheese, mint, or dill for added flavour (optional)
Steps: begin with fresh soft bread of choice and remove the crusts to create a uniform shape. Spread a thin layer of unsalted butter on each slice of bread. This not only adds flavour but also acts as a barrier to prevent the bread from becoming soggy from the cucumber’s moisture. Peel the cucumber if desired and slice it thinly. Arrange the cucumber slices evenly over one slice of buttered bread. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the cucumbers to enhance their flavour. If using cream cheese, mint, or dill, add these now for an extra layer of taste. Place the second slice of bread on top and press gently. Cut the sandwich into triangles or fingers and serve immediately to enjoy the freshness.
M&P Engineering is an industry leading manufacturer and supplier of food processing equipment to food production sites all over the world. M&P Engineering invests in new technology that is constantly being developed and improved to meet our client’s requirements.
M&P’s Carousel Grid Cutting Machine is capable of cutting vegetables and fruit into fries, batons, wedges, petals and slices. Perfect for cucumber slices!
In addition, M&P Engineering also has available a world-renowned onion peeling machine. M&P’s large onion peeler uses self-adjustable knife assemblies to top, tail and peel onions.
If you would like to find out more information about M&P’s products and services, please call on +44 (0)161 872 8378 or contact us here.