TOMATO TEA SANDWICHES

6 TABLESPOON CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED

2 1/2 TEASPOON SUMMER SAUCE (RECIPE FOLLOWS)

3/4 TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER

3/4 TEASPOON SALT, DIVIDED

12 THIN WHITE BREAD SLICES, TOASTED

1 LARGE GARDEN TOMATO, CUT INTO 6 SLICES

1 MEDIUM RED ONION, THINLY SLICED

LET’S MAKE IT-

STIR TOGETHER CREAM CHEESE, SUMMER SAUCE, PEPPER, AND 1/2 TEASPOON SALT I NA SMALL BOWL UNTIL COMBINED. SPREAD CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE ON 1 SIDE OF THE TOASTED BREAD SLICES. PLACE 1 TOMATO SLICE AND SEVERAL RINGS OF ONION ON EACH 6 SLICES OF BREAD. SPRINKLE EVENLY WITH THE REMAINING SALT. COVER WITH REMAINING BREAD SLICES. CUT INTO HALVES; SERVE IMMEDIATELY.

SUMMER SAUCE:

2 CUPS PACKED FRESH BASIL LEAVES

1/2 CUP LOOSELY PACKED FLAT LEAF PARSLEY

1/4 CUP LOOSELY PACKED FRESH MINT

1 TABLESPOON LEMON ZEST PLUS 2 TEASPOON LEMON JUICE

1 GARLIC CLOVE

LET’S MAKE IT-

IN A BLENDER OR FOOD PROCESSOR, PROCESS UNTIL SMOOTH. TASTE, SEASON WITH MORE SALT AND LEMON JUICE, IF DESIRED. COVER AND CHILL UNTIL READY TO USE. STORE LEFTOVERS IN A COVERED CONTAINER IN THE FRIDGE. GET CREATIVE WITH SUMMER SAUCE! I LIKE TO ADD MAYO TO IT AND USE AS A DIP AND USE AS A SANDWICH SPREAD. SO YUMMY!