Ina Garten turkey tea sandwiches turned a picnic idea into a store favorite. She made them on a whim, and guests loved them so much she added them to the Barefoot Contessa menu. Five ingredients, no cooking, and one night in the fridge. That is the whole recipe.
Ask the bakery to slice the bread lengthwise on a meat slicer. Thin slices keep every layer in balance. Thick bread overwhelms the cream cheese and basil, and the sandwiches fall apart when you cut them into triangles.
This recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (1999) by Ina Garten.
Ina Garten Turkey Tea Sandwiches (Barefoot Contessa)
Course: AppetizerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy32
sandwiches25
minutes25
minutesThin sliced raisin-nut bread spread with scallion cream cheese, layered with turkey and basil, then chilled and cut into small triangles for a cold appetizer platter.
Ingredients
Directions
Notes
- – Ina recommends Eli’s Raisin Pecan Bread for this recipe.n- Wash basil leaves and spin them completely dry in a salad spinner before storing. Keep them in a zip-top bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture, and they will stay green for several days.n- You can skip the triangles and cut the sandwiches into fingers instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ina recommends Eli’s Raisin Pecan Bread. Any dense raisin-walnut loaf from a bakery works. Avoid sliced sandwich bread because it tears under the cream cheese and does not hold up in the fridge.
You can assemble them a full day before serving. Wrap the baking sheet tightly in plastic and lay damp paper towels over the sandwiches first. The moisture keeps the bread from drying out overnight.
Thin sliced ham or roast beef works, but the flavor balance shifts. Turkey is mild enough to let the basil and scallion cream cheese come through. Smoked turkey adds a little more depth if you want extra flavor.
Wash them, spin completely dry in a salad spinner, and store in a zip-top bag with a paper towel. Water is what turns basil dark, so removing every drop of moisture keeps the leaves green for days.
No. Ina says you can cut them into fingers instead. Triangles look more elegant on a platter, but fingers are easier to pick up and eat without a plate.
