PARTY SANDWICH TREE

Cherry tomatoes, radish slices and green olives decorate this festive fir formed by arranging open-face sandwich triangles. An assortment of meats and cheese spreads can be used to suit varying tastes.
11 slices thin rye bread
3 cups Starry Cheese Spread (see Starry Cheese Spread Recipe) or cheese spread of your choice
Chopped pecans
10 slices deli roast beef, halved
Leaf lettuce
Stuffed olives, halved cherry tomatoes and sliced radishes

Cut each slice of bread into a 3-1/2 in. x 3 in. rectangle, removing crusts. Spread with cheese spread. cut each rectangle in half diagonally, forming triangles. On a 24-in x 18-in serving tray or covered board, form the tree. Near the top place two bread triangles 1/2 in. apart with 3-in. sides facing (Leave room at the top of the tray for the Starry Cheese Spread mold if desired). For the second, third and fourth rows, place two triangles with long sides together to form six rectangles as shown at left. Place a triangle on either side of rectangles. Center two remaining triangles under last row for trunk; sprinkle with pecans. Top the rest of the triangles with beef and lettuce. Add olive, tomato and radish "ornaments" with toothpicks.

Yield: 22 appetizers.