CARROT-GINGER TEA SANDWICHES

Carrot-Ginger Tea Sandwiches image

Provided by Marsha Gardner

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 medium carrots, finely grated
2-3 Tbsp cream cheese, room temperature
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp ginger, fresh, finely grated
4 slice good firm bread*
4 tsp unsalted butter
alfalfa sprouts, optional

Steps:

1. * Choose the best-quality bread as possible. Never serve end slices. Freezing the bread before cutting and then spreading makes for easier handling.
2. In a medium bowl, combine carrots, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and ginger; add salt and pepper. Spread one side of each piece of bread lightly with butter. Top the buttered side of 2 slices of bread with carrot/ginger mixture (about 1/4-inch thick). Top with alfalfa sprouts and top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side down. Carefully cut the crusts from each sandwich with a long, sharp knife. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and then cut in half again. If desired, decorative shapes can be made with cookie cutters.
3. MAKING SANDWICHES AHEAD OF TIME: If you need to make tea sandwiches in advance and need to keep them from drying out, cover them loosely with a sheet of wax paper and then place a damp kitchen towel over the wax paper (never place a damp towel directly on top of the bread because the sandwiches will become soggy). Refrigerate.