April Meeting

We had a lovely, cosy tea party at our April meeting on the 19th at the Argonne Library. Thank you Dee, Gwen, Jennifer, Kandy, Michael, Salena, and Susan (me) for coming. We missed everyone who was unable to make it, but maybe that was for the best. The group got a bit over zealous heating up all those electric kettles, and we blew a few fuses! Thank you Gwen for letting us use your laptop for our musical entertainment.
Luckily we already had enough hot water to supply plenty of hot drinks for the evening. Maybe we will have to try the tea party theme again later this year, or even next January in honor of Lewis Carroll's birthday. And next time we will pace our kettle usage.
The menu included cucumber watercress sandwiches, egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches, lasagna cups, lemon and raspberry cake, and some delicious cakes topped with lemon pudding and berries that Kandy brought. We tried many yummy teas: pumpkin spice, pear, a tropical one with coconut, chai,... delicious. Maybe we should consider changing our name to the Crafty Gourmet Club, with all the yummies we enjoy.
Speaking of which, here is my recipe for cucumber sandwich spread. I use soda bread and slice it as thinly as possible, but try any bread you like. I think rye is traditional.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1/2 seedless cucumber, peeled and very thinly sliced (about 32 slices, seeded work too)
1/4 cup mint or watercress rinsed, spun dry, and chopped fine
1 package cream cheese, room temperature
1/4-1/2 cup mayo

1-2 T chives (optional)

1 tsp-1 T Penzey's Country French Vinagrette spice mix (or whatever spices you like)

16 thin slices soda bread (or your favorite bread)

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the cream cheese, mayo, chives, and spice mix. Spread the mix liberally on the bread. Layer the cucumber slices on the bread. Layer the watercress on the cucumber or leave it on the side for guests to add themselves.
I like to let people make the sandwiches themselves so I don't have worry about the cucumbers turning the sandwiches soggy. If you want to assemble everything ahead try using paper towels to squeeze excess moisture out of the cucumbers before assembling the sandwiches. Sprinkling salt on the cucs also helps.

Enjoy!