Under this heading we place all those dainty sandwiches that are made from thin slices of bread and butter and a jam or fruit filling. They are usually cut into circles; it is more economical to do this before the bread is buttered, unless you can cut rounds from one side, and a crescent above it. Almost any sweet may be used. Serve with chocolate or coffee according to the fruit, either for an afternoon tea or an “evening.”
[Cherry Sandwiches]
Chop a quarter of a pound of candied cherries very fine, adding occasionally as you chop them a few drops of orange juice, if you use wine, a few drops of sherry. Mix thoroughly and spread over water thins, making it a little deeper in the center than at the edges. These sandwiches are better made from crackers than from bread. Arrange neatly on a pretty glass dish, and they are ready to serve.
[Fig Sandwiches]
Split a dozen figs and scrape out the soft portion, rejecting the skins; work this to a paste. Cut the slices of bread from the loaf, buttering before you cut them; make them quite thin. Remove the crusts, and spread this thick paste over the bread and roll carefully; press for a moment until there is no danger of the roll opening; roll each in a piece of tissue paper; twist the ends as you would an old-fashioned “secret,” or they may be tied with baby ribbon. These are exceedingly wholesome and palatable.
[Fruit and Nut Sandwiches]
These are perhaps the most attractive of all the sweet sandwiches.
Put through the meat chopper a quarter of a pound of almonds with half a pound of washed figs, the same quantity of dates, the same of raisins, and a pound of pecan nuts; put them through alternately so that they will be mixed in chopping. Pack the mixture into round baking powder tins, pressing it down firmly, and stand it aside over night. When wanted, dip the tin in hot water, loosen it with a knife and shake out the mixture. With a sharp knife cut into very thin slices and put them between two rounds of buttered bread. Serve with chocolate.
The combination may be varied; candied cherries, citron or any of the candied fruits may be substituted for the dates and figs. Brazilian and pine nuts may be substituted for a portion of the pecans.