A Cheery Teatime
“Nowhere is the English genius of domesticity more notably evident than in the festival of afternoon tea.”
—George R. Gissing, Isabel Clarendon, Volume 1
Cucumber–Blue Cheese Canapés
Makes 8
4 slices firm white sandwich bread
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon blue cheese crumbles
½ teaspoon chopped parsley
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ English cucumber
Garnish: parsley leaves
• Using a serrated bread knife ina gentle sawing motion, trim and discard crusts from bread slices. Cut bread slices into 8 (2½x1½-inch)rectangles.
• In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, blue cheese, parsley, and pepper until combined. Spread a layer of mayonnaise mixture onto bread rectangles.
• Using a sharp knife, cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Using a mandoline, cut 32 very thin lengthwise slices from cucumber halves.
• Arrange 4 cucumber slices widthwise in
