Ingredients:

  • 8 slices high-quality white bread
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 large English Cucumber
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons high-quality mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
  • 0.5 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 0.25 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Peel the English cucumber in 'stripes' for a decorative edge, then slice into paper-thin rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife.
  2. Toss the cucumber slices in a colander with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Let them sit for 10 minutes to allow osmosis to draw out excess moisture.
  3. Lay the cucumber slices flat on paper towels and pat them firmly until they are bone-dry to ensure a crisp texture.
  4. In a small mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh dill, chives, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper. Stir vigorously until velvety and aerated.
  5. Spread a thin, even layer of softened butter on one side of every bread slice to create a waterproof lipid seal.
  6. On four of the slices, apply a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese spread. Layer the dried cucumber slices over the spread, overlapping them slightly.
  7. Top with the remaining bread slices (buttered side down), remove the crusts with a serrated knife, and cut each sandwich into four fingers or triangles.