what's for lunch this today: cucumber tea sandwiches.

when my five year old decided she wanted a little tea party for her birthday, i went into plan mode.  i'm the total nerd mom that loves to plan a birthday party.  i totally admit it.  sweet treats and cupcakes were on the list, but i knew i wanted elegant little tea sandwiches.  and i knew exactly where to look.

i love the show "southern at heart" on the food network; my daughters and i watch it online all the time.  damaris, the show's chef, is just the cutest thing.  she's southern, wears the best accessories and has the coolest kitchen goods like aqua mason jars for measuring cups and wooden twig like things for measuring spoons.  yeah, i kind of love her.

she featured a recipe for "benedictine" on a recent episode i had watched, and i knew i had to make it.  tangy cream cheese and fresh cucumber with a bite of red onion?  um, yes.

not only were these sandwiches cute, they were delicious.  i could not stop munching on them, and i kind of want to make them again just for myself.

any adults want to come over for a tea party?

here's the recipe.

cucumber tea sandwiches

* 1 large cucumber, peeled and seeded
* 8 oz. cream cheese, softened (please use the real deal... sometimes it's just not worth skimping, and this is one of those times)
* 1 1/2 T. mayo
* 1 1/2 T. finely chopped red onion
* salt and pepper
* 8 slices of whole wheat sandwich bread
* sprouts (I used pea sprouts; they are super cute and the leaves look like little hearts)

- in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine cream cheese and mayo until smooth, about 1 minute.

- add cucumber and red onion and mix until combined, about 30 seconds.  season with salt and pepper, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

- spread onto a slice of bread, top with sprouts and another slice of bread.  cut into triangles and serve.  they taste best on a pretty plate ;)

enjoy!