Cucumber Tea Sandwich

Choose the best-quality white or wheat bread as possible.Bread slices should be lightly buttered not matter what the filling. Unsalted butter should always be used. Butter should be at room temperature before spreading. Sandwiches will not become limp and soggy as readily if you spread the butter to the edge of the bread. Cut the crusts off the bread with a long, sharp knife after the sandwiches are filled. This keeps everything neater. Since tea sandwiches should be delicate, cut each sandwich in half on the diagonal or into thirds or fourths before serving. Decorative shapes can be made with cookie cutters.