Instructions: When youre looking for something light to serve and easy to eat, say for a special occasion like Mothers Day, finger sandwiches come in handy. Most are simple to prepare, and they make an elegant presentation. Plus, finger sand-wiches provide neat nibbles.

While traditional choices such as cucumber sandwiches remain popular, practically any kind of bread and filling, sweet or savory, will work. Just think small. Finger sandwiches generally should be just large enough for two bites. Cut them into shapes such as stars, crescents or flowers or into understated rectangular, triangular, round or square shapes.

When making finger sandwiches, keep in mind that good quality bread will improve the flavor and texture of sandwiches.

The bread should be sliced thinly and served without crusts. A thin coating of butter will keep the bread from getting soggy.

Here are some tips to help you make these tiny little wonders: The bread
Dont limit your choice to white bread; nearly any type of bread can provide a foundation for finger sandwiches.

Here are just a few possibilities:
Small slices of rustic Italian loaves
Fresh-baked biscuits, plain or flavored with herbs or cheese Pita bread or pita crisps
Focaccia
Mini-croissants
Homemade quick breads
Fruit breads such as pineapple, raisin or lemon Any sturdy sandwich bread
Challah
Light rye bread
Pumpernickel
Dark Russian bread
Tortillas
Baguettes
Sourdough
The filling
The choices are virtually infinite. Consider the following plus the recipes listed:
Raspberry mustard: This filling is better after sitting for up to a week, so plan ahead if you want to serve it at a party.

In a 1-quart jar, combine 3/4 cup yellow mustard seed, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar and water. Let soak 48 hours, adding additional vinegar if needed to maintain enough liquid to cover the seeds.

Scrape the soaked seeds into a food processor. Add 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons raspberry jam and 2 teaspoons salt. Process until the mustard turns from liquid and seeds to a creamy mixture flecked with seeds. This takes three to four minutes. Add vinegar and water as necessary to create a nice, creamy mustard.

Serve on herb biscuits with brie cheese.

Tuna with ginger dressing: Drain two (6-ounce) cans albacore tuna and combine with 2 tablespoons canola oil, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger, four scallions (white and green parts cut into 1/4 inch rounds), 1/2 medium cucumber (peeled and shredded) and four radishes

(trimmed and shredded).

Apple Cheese Spread: Let 8 ounces cream cheese and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese reach room temperature. Combine cream cheese and cheddar cheese with 2 tablespoons brandy; beat until smooth. Add in one peeled and grated apple of choice and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried basil and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Presentation
With their dainty shape and colorful palette, finger sandwiches dont take a lot of gussying up to make an appealing presentation.

Start with the sandwich itself. Choose a variety of breads - light, dark, rustic, refined - to give your presentation interest. Use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into shapes to match the theme of your party, such as flowers and butterflies for a spring bridal shower.

Garnish sandwiches with fresh herbs, herb blossoms, sliced green onion tops or shapes cut from vegetables using miniature cookie cutters.

Choose serving trays to complement the sandwich shapes and colors.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.