Gossip Worth Monday: Tea for Two

Oh, hey.  It's Tuesday.  I'm kind of terrible at the whole working around two timezones, work, and actually being able to have time to eat and watch Gossip Girl before posting, soooo yeah.  Anyway, Gossip Worthy Monday!  We decided to go the classy route and have tea time this week.  Tea sandwiches anyone?

My version: (Vegan) Cucumber Mint and Apple, Pear, Basil Tea Sandwiches with a Moroccan Mint Chocolate Tea Latte

Ingredients:

Cucumber Mint Tea Sanwdiches:

- One loaf soft Italian bread (or Sourdough!) 

- One cucumber

- 1/4 cup vegan cream cheese

- 1/4 cup mint leaves

  

Apple, Pear, and Basil Tea Sandwiches:

- One loaf dark rye or pumpernickel bread 

- 1/4 cup vegan butter

- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

- One Granny Smith apple

- One Bosc Pear

Moroccan Mint Chocolate Tea Latte: 

- Loose leaf Moroccan Mint Green Tea (one serving, approx. 2 tablespoons)

- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

- 1 tablespoon agave nectar or sweetener (more or less to taste)

- Soy creamer (as much as you would put in a coffee or tea, I put a lot!) 

Method:

- For the Cucumber Mint Tea Sandwiches, start with the spread.  It helps if your cream cheese is at room temperature.  

- Finely chop the mint leaves, and wisk together with the cream cheese.  If you have a baby food processor, now would be the time to use it.  Toss in the 'fridge to keep it cool.

- Thinly slice the cucumber.  I actually used a potato peeler to make super thin slices.  You can make some fun patterns if you peel with the skin on (if you intend for them to be open-face, otherwise there's not really a point to be fancy).

- Thinly slice the bread, and cut into fun triangles (you can cut them after assembly if that is easier for you).

- Assemble!  Spread one piece of bread with the mint cream cheese, and place the cucumber slices on top.  Viola!

- Follow the above steps for the Apple, Pear, and Basil Tea Sandwiches.  The spread is made in the same way (finely chopped basil wisked with butter), thinly sliced apples and pears, and made into a teeny sandwich.  

On to my favorite, favorite, favorite drink ever!  A Moroccan Mint Chocolate Tea Latte!  I get this every time I am in California, multiple times a day- it's from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.  Unfortunately for me, THERE IS NOT ONE ANYWHERE ON THE EAST COAST.  So, I have to make my own.

- Start by brewing enough loose leaf tea for one drink.  Mix the cocoa powder right in with the loose leaf tea before brewing.  Mint chocolate tea!!

- Once brewed, mix in your sweetener.  Use as much or as little as you'd like.  You do have to add some, or you'll have that bitter cocoa taste (unless you use sweetened:)).

- Finally, foam up some soy creamer and throw it on top!  I use the "Objekt" from IKEA.  It was, like, $5. Put enough creamer in another coffee cup (or frothing cup if you're that fancy), and froth away!  If you want to be legit, put it over a spoon into your cup.  

- If you have sweetener cocoa powder, sprinkle a little on top!  Yayyyyy!

Chelsea's Version: (Vegan) Hummus with Asian Pear, Tomato and "Cheese," and Watercress and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Ingredients:

Hummus with Asian Pear Tea Sandwiches:

- One loaf Shepherd's bread

- 1/4 cup hummus

- One Asian pear

- 1/4 cup arugula

 

Tomato and "Cheese" Tea Sandwiches:

- One loaf Shepherd's bread

- 1/4 cup vegan butter

- 4 slices vegan cheese

- One small tomato

- 1/4 cup arugula

- Few shakes sea salt 

Watercress and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches: 

- One loaf Shepherd's bread

- 1/4 cup vegan cream cheese

- 1/4 cup fresh watercress

- One cucumber

- Few shakes sea salt 

Method: 

- For the Hummus and Asian Pear Tea Sandwiches, thinly slice your bread and Asian pear.  Spread the bread with hummus, top with a few slices of pear, and one or two arugula leaves.

- For the Tomato and "Cheese" Tea Sandwiches, thinly slice your bread and tomato.  Spread the butter on the bread and sprinkle on some sea salt.  Top with vegan cheese, tomato, and one or two arugula leaves.

- For the Watercress and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, thinly slice your bread and cucumber (you can use a potato peeler for the cucumber).  Spread the bread with cream cheese, sprinkle with sea salt, and top with cucumber slices.  Add a few pieces of watercress. 

- Cut into cute triangles, and serve with your favorite tea!  Earl Grey!