Kentucky Derby Benedictine Sandwiches (Printable)

Fresh cucumber and cream cheese blend into light Southern sandwiches, perfect for gatherings and brunches.

# What You'll Need:

→ Spread

01 - 1 large English cucumber, peeled and seeded
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon onion, grated
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
09 - 2-3 drops green food coloring, optional

→ Sandwich Assembly

10 - 12 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, optional

# Method:

01 - Grate the cucumber using a fine grater. Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill, chives, grated onion, salt, and white pepper. Mix until smooth.
03 - Stir in the drained cucumber and mix until well blended. Add green food coloring if desired and mix until the color is uniform.
04 - If using, lightly butter one side of each slice of bread to prevent sogginess.
05 - Spread a generous layer of the Benedictine mixture on half of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
06 - Gently press and trim crusts if needed. Cut each sandwich into quarters as rectangles or triangles.
07 - Arrange on a platter and serve immediately, or cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare with just 15 minutes of hands-on time
  • No cooking required, making it perfect for warm weather entertaining
  • Refreshing cucumber and herb combination that's light yet satisfying
  • Elegant presentation that impresses guests at any gathering
  • Can be made ahead and refrigerated, ideal for party planning
  • Vegetarian-friendly and customizable to your taste preferences
02 -
  • Make the Benedictine spread a day ahead and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld together beautifully
  • Use a serrated knife to cut the sandwiches cleanly without squishing the bread
  • Freeze leftover Benedictine spread for up to one month and thaw in the refrigerator when needed
  • For parties, prepare sandwiches up to 4 hours ahead, cover with damp paper towels and plastic wrap, and refrigerate
  • English cucumbers work best because they have fewer seeds and less water content than regular cucumbers
  • White pepper keeps the spread's color uniform, but black pepper works if that's what you have
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