Kentucky Derby Tea Sandwich Trio (Print version)

A trio of Southern-style cucumber, egg salad, and ham sandwiches on soft bread, ideal for casual entertaining.

# Required ingredients:

→ Cucumber Sandwiches

01 - 6 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
02 - 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
06 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Egg Salad Sandwiches

07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh chives, minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 6 slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed

→ Ham Sandwiches

14 - 6 slices rye sandwich bread, crusts removed
15 - 3 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
16 - 2 tablespoons Dijon or honey mustard
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How to make it:

01 - Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover the pan, remove from heat, and let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer eggs to cold water, cool completely, peel, and chop finely. Combine chopped eggs with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chives, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and reserve.
02 - Combine softened cream cheese, butter, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir until well blended. Spread mixture thinly and evenly across each slice of white bread. Arrange cucumber slices in a single layer on three bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices and press gently. Cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwich portions.
03 - Spread softened butter on one side of each rye bread slice. Apply mustard over the buttered surface of three slices. Layer thinly sliced ham and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Top with remaining bread slices and press gently. Cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwich portions.
04 - Spread prepared egg salad evenly across three whole wheat bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices and press gently. Cut each sandwich into two or three finger sandwich portions.
05 - Arrange all sandwich varieties on a serving platter. Cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap to maintain freshness until service.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can make all three varieties ahead and actually relax before guests arrive, which feels like a small miracle.
  • Every filling has its own personality—bright and herby, rich and tangy, simple and elegant—so there's something for every mood.
  • The whole thing comes together in your hands, which makes you feel capable and kind in a way store-bought alternatives never quite achieve.
02 -
  • Remove the crusts before you spread anything on the bread, not after—it's faster, cleaner, and gives you those perfect tea sandwich edges.
  • If your cucumber slices are releasing water, pat them dry with a paper towel before arranging them, or your beautiful sandwich will fall apart the second someone picks it up.
03 -
  • Buy your deli ham sliced thin at the counter the same day you're assembling—pre-packaged ham gets that weird taste after a couple of days no matter what the package says.
  • If you're serving these to anyone with dietary restrictions, you can easily make a gluten-free version by swapping the bread, and the cucumber sandwiches work perfectly for vegetarians while the others are already naturally flexible.
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