Ham And Tewkesbury Butter Sandwiches

Brown bread sandwiches with ham and a fiery mustard and horseradish butter in it to give a real bite. Perfect for afternoon tea or picnics. It’s hard to beat a well-made sandwich and it is a very cheap way to feed your whole family. You might also like the recipe for our coronation-style chicken sandwiches which can be seen in the photo above. For a picnic that pulls out all the stops we recommend packing a selection of sandwiches and cutting them into triangles so you can mix-and-match!

Ingredients

• 100g (3½oz) butter, softened
• 2 tbsp coarse-grain mustard
• 1 tbsp hot horseradish
• 6 slices brown bread
• 175g (6oz) wafer-thin ham
• 1 punnet salad cress

Directions

Prepare the Tewkesbury Butter

1. Mix the Butter:
   In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter, coarse-grain mustard, and hot horseradish until well combined. This mixture is known as Tewkesbury butter and it is famous for its rich and spicy flavor.

Assemble the Sandwiches

1. Lay Out the Bread:
   Lay out the slices of brown bread on a clean surface.
2. Spread the Butter:
   Spread a generous amount of the Tewkesbury butter mixture evenly over each slice of bread, ensuring all the edges are covered for maximum flavor.

Add the Fillings

1. Add Ham:
   Place the wafer-thin ham slices evenly on half of the buttered bread slices.
2. Top with Cress:
   Top the ham with a handful of fresh salad cress, adding a crisp texture and a slight peppery taste to the sandwich.

Form the Sandwiches

1. Top with Bread:
   Place the remaining buttered bread slices on the ham and cress to form sandwiches. Press down gently to ensure the ingredients stick together.

Trim and Cut

1. Trim the Crusts:
   Using a sharp knife, cut off the crusts from each sandwich for a neat and classic appearance.
2. Cut into Shapes:
   Cut each sandwich into quarters, squares, or triangles depending on your preference.

Serve

1. Arrange and Serve:
   Arrange the sandwich quarters on a serving platter or pack them into a picnic basket. Serve immediately or keep them chilled until ready to eat.

Additional Tips

• Storage: If you need to prepare these sandwiches in advance, cover them with a damp paper towel and wrap them in plastic to keep them fresh.
• Variations: Add thinly sliced pickles or a layer of cheese for a different twist.
• Bread Options: While brown bread is traditional, you can also use whole-grain or seeded bread for added texture and flavor.
• Garnish: For a fresh and appealing presentation, garnish your serving platter with extra cress or a few slices of lemon.

These Ham and Tewkesbury Butter Sandwiches are a delightful combination of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion from an elegant afternoon tea to a relaxed picnic in the park. Enjoy!