When my children were smaller we would always make reservations at a special tea luncheon for Mother’s Day as a special treat. They enjoyed acting like grownups, and I enjoyed showing them. Now I enjoy watching them try new things in the kitchen, so this Mother’s Day I’m encouraging them to make a luncheon at home. Tea sandwiches are extremely easy to create, and can be really fun when you add in cookie cutters, so here are a couple of recipes to try for your own celebration.

Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches

•    12 pieces of sandwich bread, thinly sliced
•    8 large hard-boiled eggs, cooled and shelled
•    1/3 cup canola mayonnaise
•    1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
•    3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
•    1 tablespoon green onion, minced
•    1 teaspoon white pepper
•    sea salt, to taste

Hard boil the eggs and shell when cool enough to handle safely. Chop the eggs in a medium bowl and add the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, green onion, white pepper and sea salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to make sandwiches. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches or create your own shapes.

Deviled Ham Tea Sandwiches

•    12 pieces of sandwich bread, thinly sliced
•    2 cups ham, minced (smoked ham or Canadian bacon can be substituted)
•    4 tablespoons mayonnaise
•    1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
•    1/4 teaspoon chipotle or red pepper sauce, or according to taste
•    2 tablespoons green onion, minced
•    2 tablespoons Italian parsley, minced

Mix all ingredients together and prepare sandwiches.