Smoked Salmon and Scallion Tea Sandwiches

• FAST
• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup sesame seeds
2. 3/4 pound sliced smoked salmon
3. 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi powder mixed with 1 1/2 teaspoons water
4. 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
5. 1/4 cup crème fraîche
6. 3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
7. 4 scallions, green parts only, chopped
8. 1/4 cup finely chopped watercress leaves
9. Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
10. 24 thin slices white sandwich bread

1. In a small skillet, toast the sesame seeds over moderate heat, shaking the pan, until light golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
2. In a food processor, combine the salmon, wasabi, ginger and crème fraîche and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the processor.
3. Add the cream cheese, scallions and watercress to the processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt and white pepper.
4. Using a small spatula, spread a scant tablespoon of the scallion cream cheese onto each of 3 slices of bread. Spread a scant tablespoon of the salmon mixture onto each of 2 slices of bread. Stack the bread, beginning and ending with a scallion layer; top the stack with a plain slice of bread and press to close. Repeat with the remaining bread, scallion cream cheese and salmon mixture to form 4 sandwich stacks.
5. Using a sharp serrated knife, trim off the crusts. Cut each sandwich stack in half. Spread scallion cream cheese over the long side of each sandwich half, then dip the long sides into the toasted sesame seeds, pressing to coat. Cut each sandwich half into 4 smaller sandwiches, leaving 1 side coated with sesame seeds. Transfer the sandwiches to a plate and serve.