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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.
What you need for this recipe
Nordic Ware half sheet pan
Assemble the sandwiches on a sheet pan, cover with damp towels and plastic, and chill overnight.
Buy on AmazonOXO salad spinner
Spin the basil leaves completely dry so they stay green in the fridge for days.
Buy on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife
A sharp one cuts the chilled raisin bread sandwiches into 32 neat triangles without squishing them.
Buy on AmazonShipping adds up. Try Prime free for 30 days for fast, free delivery.
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Ina Garten Turkey Tea Sandwiches
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
- Scallion Cream Cheese
3/4 pound cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup minced scallions (white and green parts)
- Sandwiches
1 loaf dense raisin-nut bread, unsliced
8 thin slices fresh or smoked turkey breast
fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Mix the cream cheese and scallions in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Do not whip.
- Have the bakery slice the raisin-nut bread lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices on a meat slicer. If that is not possible, slice it crosswise with a very sharp knife.
- Lay out 8 slices and spread each one with a thin layer of scallion cream cheese. Place a single layer of turkey on half the slices, trimming the edges to fit the bread. Scatter basil leaves on top of the turkey.
- Top with the remaining 4 slices, cream cheese side down. Set the sandwiches on a baking sheet, wrap with plastic, and refrigerate until cold and firm.
- Place sandwiches on a cutting board and cut off the crusts with a sharp knife. Cut each sandwich in half crosswise, then cut each half diagonally twice to make 8 small triangles per sandwich. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Ina recommends Eli's Raisin Pecan Bread for this recipe.
- 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.
- You can skip the triangles and cut the sandwiches into fingers instead.
- Nordic Ware half sheet pan, OXO salad spinner, Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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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.
This week on Amazon
Prime Big Deal Days run October 6 and 7, two days of deals for Prime members. The picks from this recipe we would check first: Nordic Ware half sheet pan, OXO salad spinner, Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife.
See the dealsBlack Friday and Cyber Monday deals run through December 1. The picks from this recipe we would check first: Nordic Ware half sheet pan, OXO salad spinner, Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife.
See the dealsIna's new cookbook Simply Ina comes out October 20. Pre-orders are open.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
