Cucumber Sandwiches (Recipe)

Ingredients

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced

10 slices day-old white bread or firm-textured bread

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

Steps

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the water, vinegar and salt.  Add the cucumber slices and soak for 30 minutes.  Drain the cucumbers and pat dry.

2. Using a 1 1/2-to 2-inch round cookie or hors d'oeuvre, cut the bread into shapes.  Spread each shape lightly with butter.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese and mayonnaise.  Add the Worcestershire sauce, pepper and garlic salt.  Spread the mixture onto the buttered side of the bread.  Using a butter knife, spread the mixture smoothly and evenly.

4. Place 1 cucumber slice on top of the cream cheese mixture on half of the bread shapes.  Place one of the remaining cream cheese mixture covered bread shapes on top of each of the cucumber slices, cream cheese side down.  Press each sandwich gently together.

5. Place the sandwiches on a cookie sheet that has been covered with a slightly damp towel.  Cover the sandwiches with another slightly damp towel, then cover with plastic wrap.  Chill for at least 3 hours before serving Refrigerate leftover sandwiches for up to two days.

Tips:

For a change of pace, cut these sandwiches into fanciful shapes, such as stars or diamonds.  Just be sure to match the size of your cookie or hors d'oeuvre cutter to the size of your cucumber slices.

Use your imagination to decorate the sandwiches.  Bits of fresh dill, pimiento and red pepper, an slices of fresh cucumber add flavor and color.

If you are using a cucumber with large seeds, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.  Then slice the cucumber halves.