The Best Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
Light and delicious! Melt in your mouth! Savory! OH MY GOSH! YUM! I am sharing my recipe for the best Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches.
A lovely addition to lunches, brunches, teas, this creamy and savory tea sandwich is party favorite that will leave your guests talking.
History of the Benedictine Tea Sandwich and The Kentucky Derby
The creamy green cloud of fluff between two pieces of white bread is a Kentucky tradition, named after Jennie Carter Benedict. She ran a tearoom in Louisville Kentucky in the early 1900’s and this was on the menu. Consequently, her first cookbook published in 1902, Blue Ribbon Cooking didn’t include her recipe. However, it has been added since. Her recipe became so popular it became a must make for every Kentucky Derby party.
What is a Tea Sandwich
A tea sandwich, also referred to as a finger sandwich is a small prepared sandwich meant to be eaten at teatime to curb hunger until the evening meal.
More Kentucky Derby Recipe You Must Add To Your Menu
Sweet Tea Bourbon Slush | Sour Cream Pound Cake | Mint Julep | Rosewater Buttercream Cake | Kentucky Derby Hot Brown Sliders | Chocolate Chip Derby Pie | Brown Sugar Bourbon Cake
The Best Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 long english cucumber, skin on
- 1 medium white onion, outer skin removed
- 2 – 8 ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 3 drops green food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Leaving the skin on, cut the cucumber in half and grate over a bowl. Place the grated cucumber into a fine mesh strainer. Next, grate the onion, add to the strainer, and toss together with the cucumber. Let the grated onions and cucumber drain for 10 minutes gently pressing every few minutes.
Add the cream cheese, grated cucumber onion mixture, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and food coloring into a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Generously spread the Benedectine onto the soft white bread. Arange on a pretty tray and enjoy!
Benedictine Dip Recipe
In addition to being delicious between two slices of soft white bread, over time people realized this sandwich spread is great on crackers and for vegetable dipping. There is just one simple step to turning the spread into a dip. Simply avoid draining the grated onions and cucumbers.
The Best Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 english cucumber (skin on)
- 1 white onion (outer skin removed)
- 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 drops green food coloring optional
Instructions
- Leaving the skin on, cut the cucumber in half and grate over a bowl. Place the grated cucumber into a fine mesh strainer. Next, grate the onion, add to the strainer, and toss together with the cucumber. Let the grated onions and cucumber drain for 10 minutes gently pressing every few minutes.
- Add the cream cheese, grated cucumber onion mixture, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and food coloring into a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Generously spread the Benedectine onto the soft white bread. Arange on a pretty tray and enjoy!
Nutrition
More Charming Recipes
Could I make the spread the day before and put the tea sandwich together the day of?
Hi Mary!
Great question!
Absolutely you can! I do recommend making sure you get as much water as possible out of the cucumbers and onions when straining. Give them a pat with a dry paper towel. Be sure to give the mixture a good stir before making your sandwiches.
Hope your guests enjoy these. Blessings! -gwyn
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful site!
Thank you for the smile Barbara! I am glad you had fun visiting Sparkling Charm. I would love to hear about your personal Sparkle Spin on these Benedictine Tea Sandwiches. Happy Day Your Way!