Heart Shaped Finger Sandwiches

Heart-Shaped Tea/Finger Sandwiches are a delicious twist from the regular square or triangle-shaped sandwiches with another sweet twist; beetroots or beets in the savory filling and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) and your favorite fruit jam, jelly or preserve for the sweet bites!!! They are perfect for any picnic, or your kids’ lunch box and/or Valentine’s Day; a delightful treat to serve your loved ones! They make adorably elegant party bites too!

12 slices white or wheat bread

2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled beetroots

2 tablespoons finely chopped bell pepper/capsicum

1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions

2 tablespoons finely chopped cabbage

2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

Black pepper powder

Crushed red chilli flakes

Softened butter

2 to 3 tablespoons Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)

2 teaspoons mixed fruit jam (or any red colored fruit jam, spread or preserve)

For the beet-mayo filling:

Finely chop or grate the vegetables or use a food processor (makes it easier and quick).

Transfer the chopped vegetables to a bowl.Add green onions and mix well.

Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, black pepper powder and red chilli flakes (depending upon how spicy you want your sandwich) and mix well.

Do a taste test and adjust the spices and salt accordingly.

The mayo I used was slightly sweet (the way I like it!); you can add some sugar if you want.

I had two sizes of heart-shaped cutters, so I used the bigger one for the beet-mayo sandwich and the smaller one for Nutella and jam-filled sandwiches.

Take one slice of bread and place the cutters over them to get 2 heart shaped bread slices.

If you have bigger cutters, make one heart-shaped slice for each slice of bread. Mine were smaller, so I got two heart-shaped slices, one big and one small.

Continue with the other slices to make more heart-shaped slices; (the leftover bread can be used to make breadcrumbs).

Butter all the 12 larger heart-shaped bread slices for beet-mayo sandwiches on one side.

Gently place a small teaspoon of beet-mayo filling over half of the larger slices (about 6) and spread it evenly with a palette knife.

Place the other 6 slices (with just butter) with the butter side down on top of this and press lightly. Dainty beet-mayo tea sandwiches are ready.

Now to make the Nutella and jam sandwiches:

Over 3 of the smaller slices apply and spread Nutella gently.

Place the other half over the top and press gently.

Nutella sandwiches are ready.

Similarly, make the jam sandwiches.

Serve these delightful, dainty and pretty heart-shaped sandwiches to your Valentine or any loved one as a snack with evening chai/coffee or as a starter or appetizer at any party.

They stay good in your kids’ lunch box too, especially the jam and Nutella hearts!!!