Cucumber Sandwiches Recipe

Seedless cucumber - 1
Unsalted butter - 125g (4= oz), softened
Grated orange zest - 1 tsp
Firm white bread - 8 thin slices, crusts removed
Firm wholemeal bread - 8 thin slices, crusts removed
Fresh mint sprigs and thin orange slices - to serve

One of England's most traditional tea sandwiches, thinly sliced cucumber on good buttered bread. The crusts are always removed.

Makes 32 sandwiches

Peel the cucumber, cut in half lengthways, and slice crossways as thinly as possible. In a small bowl, combine the butter and orange zest and stir until creamy and blended.
Spread each slice of white bread with about 11/2 teaspoons of the butter mixture. Arrange several slices of cucumber on each slice and top with the whole-wheat bread. Cut each sandwich into 4 triangles.

To serve, arrange the sandwiches on a platter, alternating white and brown sides of the sandwiches and garnish with mint sprigs and orange slices.