Tea parties are a celebration. Sometimes they are a subdued, elegant affair, but other times they are loud, bright, and gregarious. This tea party is the latter. Inspired by all things mid-century modern, the Golden Oldies Tea Party is an homage to the past; albeit one that leaves the worst behind us and brings the best of the present. With a menu taken directly from first-hand sources, this throwback of a party has all the favourites of a by-gone era. So get out your record players, dust off your grandma's china, and light your candy cigarettes, because this party is twisting, jiving, and rocking. The party kicks off with Pineapple Upside Down Scones, a modern take on an old classic. Just as delicious as the original, but the individual portions make it fun, fun, fun. A simple banana bread follows, baked according to a 1960 recipe. Without any extra ingredients, it is very basic, and simply delightful. Deviled eggs are a welcome sight at any tea party, but they are a must if you want to be true to the vintage vibe. The French Onion Dip is another update on an oldie but goodie. Made from scratch using the low and slow method, this dip is the real leader of the pack. Creamy, pungent, sweet, salty- we like it like that. Other classic savouries include pigs in a blanket and tuna melts. There's no generational gap when it comes to no-nonsense finger foods like these. The star of the show is the Curried Chicken Sandwich Loaf. Adapted from a vintage xeroxed magazine recipe, it doesn't look like your average tea sandwich, and you don't want it to. A loaf of white bread is trimmed into a rectangle and then sliced horizontally. Layer in the filling, or fillings, for an even fancier and more decadent treat. Once assembled, coat it with a mixture of mayonnaise and cream cheese. Atomic stars made from fresh clipped chives complete the picture. Slicing to order adds drama and glamour to an otherwise staid staple. Ambrosia salad, also known as 5 cup salad, holds a special place in the pantheon of vintage salads. Not as weird as jello salads, but with the same semi-homemade and strange texture vibe. Tinned fruits, dried coconut, mini marshmallows, and sour cream combine into a dish greater than the sum of its parts. It's bright and sweet, but it walks the line thanks to the tang and richness of the sour cream. Frito Macaroons, with their mellow yellow color you can almost taste, end the party much like where it began. A true recipe from yesteryear, published in the Frito Lay cookbook in 1947. Savory, sweet, a little bizarre, but ultimately worth adding to your recipe box. No tea party would be complete without, well, tea! Golden Light by Smith Teamaker was the obvious choice. A healthy herbal mix of turmeric, black pepper, and sarsaparilla, it brews up a brilliant hue, like starshine, with a heady aroma. More importantly, it acts as a foil for the rich, mayo heavy menu. When the times call for a bold, boisterous tea party, look no further than the Golden Oldies. With a familiar feel and a reassuring consistency, it could just loosen you up enough to twist, shout, and dance in the street. And at the end of the day, it's your party, so you can cry if you want to. (But I don't think you will.)
0 Comments
There is a magical time of year in the forests of the world when everything is vibrant and thriving. The leaves are plenty, the ground is soft with loam, and there is much to harvest. This tea is a celebration of the abundance we glean from our woods and wilds. Put on your travelling clothes and journey through the greenery; at the end of the path lies full hearts and full bellies. The Harvest Peach Scones Caramelized Leek Quiches Cheddar, Maple, and Sage Pinecone Roasted Garlic and Herb Pinecone Leaf Crackers Mushroom Stuffed Mushrooms Smoked Salmon on Rye Hazelnut and Plum Crumble Bars Peanut Butter and Chocolate Acorns Meringue Nests with Berries, Hazelnuts, and Honeycomb A mixture of yaupon green, yaupon black, and kukicha teas perfectly mimicked the look of the forest floor, but thankfully not its flavor. The final brew was aromatic, slightly vegetal but with a delicate sweetness, and underwritten by a subtle roasted complexity. Not overpowering and with a refreshing crispness, this tea breezed between the lighter and heavier menu selections. The sweets and savouries provided were inspired by what can be naturally gathered from woodland settings. Salmon from streams and rivers, acorns from oak groves, and mushrooms from damp corners between trees. The pinecone cheese balls were studded with sliced almonds for an authentic prickly demeanor, while the leaf-shaped crackers were colored with matcha, curry, and paprika to reflect the beauty of the changing seasons. Homemade wild plum jam joined roasted hazelnuts for a tart and rich crumble bar. On the sweeter and lighter side were meringue nests filled with a blueberry grappa spiked whipped cream, and topped with blueberries, roasted hazelnuts, and homemade honeycomb candy. The honeycomb was made with local raw honey, which added an extra dimension to the caramelized crunch. Every detail was planned to elicit memories and perceptions of nature. Hand cut cedar rings provided height to the tablescape, while antique silverware showed off some of the flora and fauna you might encounter on a woodland outing. The teaware was a rustic mug in a textured brown and green. Antique majolica stand and plates in green leaf motifs complemented real wooden serving boards and tea tier. The bounty and beauty of nature is an apt theme for a tea party, and this woodland tea was a delight to plan and throw. The Woodland Bounty Tea Party is for regular outdoorsy types and city slickers alike. Join the celebration of the glorious end of summer and equally entrancing beginning of fall, and give thanks for what nature provides.
Menu: China Tea with Milk, Sugar, Jam, or Lemon Pork Pies Cucumber Dill Sandwiches Roast Beef with Horseradish and Rocket Sandwiches Oatcakes, Stilton, Keen's Farmhouse Cheddar, Gherkins, and an array of fresh summer fruit Deviled Eggs with Chives Glazed Cakelets Lemon Ice Bilberry and Gin Jellies Inspiration for the menu was gleaned from Jane Austen's novels, as well as historical accounts from the Georgian period. Of course, in the end it is a thoroughly modern take on what might have been. Nearly everything for the spread was homemade, and even with a modern kitchen the amount of effort it took was enormous. What a production this would have been in the days of wood-fired ovens, ice houses, and boiling pigs' feet. Truly a tea party is a special occasion, an event of great acclaim. The tea was a combination of Chinese black and green, reminiscent of an English Breakfast tea, but with a more herbaceous quality. Served with all the accompaniments varying tastes could desire, including jam, if one was prone to taking it à la russe. Pork pies, sandwiches, and deviled eggs provide for those with more of an appetite, and satisfy any men that might be in attendance. A cascade of light nibbles, including the traditional Stilton and Farmhouse Clothbound Cheddar cheeses, are the other savories. What everyone really wants, however, are the sweets. Glazed cakelets made in individual molds, served with the best of summer berries. A man might give up his fortune for those strawberries; red as rubies and sweet as new love. Lemon ices are a must at any social gathering, especially in the heat of the summer. Cold, tart, and sweet, they are perfection to keep you cool while the gossip heats up. Last but not least, Bilberry and Gin Jellies. Sweet, a bit tipsy, and a testament to the cook of the house. Party attendees may blush while eating, given the naughty jiggle that jellies are wont to make. If there are any clergy in your group, perhaps invite them to take a tour of the house while these are being served. For the would be hostess, remember that now is the time for showing off. Display your wealth and standing as befits your position, or at least for the position you desire. Perhaps your patron will let you borrow their silver or crystal. Be mindful of the cost, but keep in mind that "a large income is the best recipe for happiness." So even if you don't have much, you should pretend like you do for the sake of your guests. For after all is said and done, a successful event is its own reward. Jane Austen herself may be gone, but her legacy remains. Honor whatever influence she may have had on your life by throwing your own Jane Austen tea party. Consult your almanac, pick a day where the sun will be shining but not so much as to obscure the view of your choosing, be it man, woman, or nature. Send out your invitations, plan your menu, and prepare for a pleasurable afternoon spent in good company. For even though, "to sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment," it can't hurt to have a little food and fun as well.
Slow down everyone, summer isn't over yet! There is still plenty of delicious seasonal produce in the markets, the air is still warm and the nights are still long. Now is the perfect time to throw an All American Summer Tea Party. Inspired by traditions across the land, I've put together a tea party celebrating what our summer has to offer. Menu: Iced Black Tea Blend Sweetened with Local Raw Honey Lavender Lemonade Egg Salad Sandwiches on Farmhouse Bread with Tea Pickled Veggies Northwest Summer Salad BBQ Chicken Rillette with Homemade Toast Points Blueberry and Apple Tartlettes with American White Cheddar Pastry Let's start with the drinks. Summer time is all about thirst-quenchingly cool beverages, and what is more American than iced tea and lemonade? I used a mixture of English Breakfast and Earl Grey to form the base for my tea, then added a heaping spoonful of local honey to sweeten. This iced tea is fragrant, sweet, and bracing, but still drinkable from sun up to sun down. Lavender and lemon is a pairing made in heaven, and they shine when turned into lemonade. Steep the lavender blossoms in boiling water until it reaches desired strength, then strain and cool. Use this instead of water when mixing with the lemon juice and sugar. If you're feeling extra festive, fill your glasses with ice cubes that have lavender blossoms frozen inside and garnish with a lemon twist. Beautiful, delicious, and reminiscent of blossoming fields beneath a hot sun.
What would a summer party be without a potato salad? It is virtually unthinkable to not include one, but if you're tired of the same old globs of mayonnaise version, this is a wonderful replacement. Red potatoes are tossed with fresh sweet corn, green onions, smoked salmon and sour cream. If you are lucky enough to have an ocean (or lake, or river) view, you couldn't find a better dish to enjoy while soaking it in. The final savory of the menu was my tribute to the chicken traditions of the South. Chicken thighs are braised in a bbq spice rub with golden ale and Lapsang Souchong tea, then beaten into a spreadable delight known as rillette. Slightly smoky and with an incredible depth of flavor, this is a treat that could grace any table, not just a picnic one.
Summer needs to be cherished, especially now that everyone has Autumn in their sights. So grab a few friends, a couple of blankets, and a lawn game of your choice and enjoy the rest of summer's bounty.
|
Archives
December 2018
|