ingredients
makes 24
vegetable oil, for frying
unsliced rye bread with caraway seeds, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 pound salt beef or pastrami, in one piece
mild mustard, for spreading
2 pickled cucumbers, cut into small pieces
24 cocktail onions
method
1. In a heavy medium-sized skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil. When very hot, but not smoking, add half the bread cubes and fry for about 1 minute until just golden, turning occasionally. Remove the cubes with a slotted spoon and drain them on kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining cubes.
2. Cut the salt beef or pastrami into 1/2 inch cubes on a chopping board, and spread one side of each cube with a little of the mustard.
3. Thread a bread cube on to a cocktail stick, then a piece of meat with the mustard side against the bread, then a piece of pickled cucumber, and finally an onion. Arrange the cocktail sticks on a plate or tray, and serve immediately.
