The Nutcracker story is a cherished part of many holiday traditions, so what better way to celebrate than a tea party inspired by the classic ballet? A Christmas tree presides over the festivities, a nutcracker rallies his gingerbread soldiers against an army of marzipan mice, and sugar plums dance over taste buds. Watch this magical tea party come to life as the curtain rises and the lights begin to twinkle. Menu Overture: Winter Spiced Tea Act I Candy Stripe Toasts Three Cheese Scones Snowflake Harlequin Butter Spiced Nuts Gingerbread Soldiers Entr'acte: Hot Cocoa with Espresso Marshmallows Act II Marzipan Mice Russian Tea Cakes Sugar Plums Christmas Tree Croquembouche The party begins with a winter spiced tea, inspired by the Chinese Dance in the Land of Sweets. Black tea from China joins with star anise, cinnamon, orange slices, and candied ginger for a brew that is spicy, slightly sweet, and fragrant. Following the tea is an assortment of savory delights to satisfy and stuff. Rye bread toasts striped with red and green pestos and cream cheese are fun to look at and fun to eat. Perhaps the three cheese scones that follow are to blame for the presence of the Mouse King. He wouldn't be able to resist their cheesy decadence and neither can anyone else, especially not when spread with harlequin butter. Before he gets broken by Clara's brother, the Nutcracker had some work to do cracking open the nuts that were spiced and glazed. The gingerbread soldiers appear at the end of Act I to escort us from savory to sweet. Their cakey interiors are laced with black pepper and stiff molasses, an enticing combination perfect for a cold winter cookie. The sweets begin with a cup of hot chocolate with espresso marshmallows, inspired by the Spanish and Arabian Dances. It's a perfect, creamy, and reinvigorating treat. The Nutcracker and his soldiers may have done away with the Mouse King, but there are still a few marzipan mice waiting to be polished off. Better get to them quickly, before they eat all of the Russian tea cakes and sugar plums. As a reminder that it wasn't all a dream, the croquembouche Christmas tree is still standing high above all. Gentle puff pastry filled with pastry cream and finished with gleaming green sugar is the grand finale for this delightful tea party. The Nutcracker is a fanciful holiday tale, one full of intrigue, mystery, and magic. Hopefully this Nutcracker Tea Party has been equally so. Whether you plan on seeing the ballet, participating in it yourself, or simply watching one of the movie versions from the comfort of home, a few inspired treats might be just the thing to bring it to life and give your December a little childlike wonder. Happy Holidays from Bedford Cottage Tea House!
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Birthdays are the perfect excuse for a celebratory tea party, whether it's for a friend's or your own. Mine happens to be coming up soon, and it is certainly one worth fussing over: the big 3-0!! Although I do not have any tea plans for it this year, I did want to share how I spent my Golden Birthday, the birthday number that coincides with your date of birth. My best friend in the world flew out to visit and over a whirlwind five days we threw a magnificent party just for us. Golden Birthday Menu Pumpkin Ginger Scones Toasted Brioche Crostini Fig, Olive Oil, and Sea Salt Challah Pear Quince Tart Lavender Tea Cake Deviled Eggs Petits Fours in Four Flavours Sweet and Savory Accoutrements: hummus, pesto, whipped cream, lemon curd Everything was handmade, including the brioche for the crostini. It was a labor of love; one that was just as fun to devour as it was to make. No tea party would be complete without a modicum of fancy dress, so we even went so far as to pull old prom dresses out of my closet and put them on. Elbow length gloves, thrift store hats, and costume jewelry completed the look. We even had a "chaperone" in fancy dress himself. An antique lace tablecloth and heirloom china were the final touches. In a happy coincidence, the china perfectly matched the Golden Birthday theme. Looking back on it now, so did the majority of the food we prepared: two different breads, baked to golden perfection; a bronzed bundt loaf; autumnal scones; glorious lemon curd; petit fours shining like trinkets in the October sun. Although it wasn't planned, it was beautifully executed.
Ultimately what made my Golden Birthday one to remember was that I spent it doing what I loved, with the people I loved. But throwing a tea party that was a smashing success helped. At the moment I can only throw a few parties a year, but someday I hope to throw them nearly every day. These celebrations, whether they are for a birthday or not, are special. A toast, then; "To celebrating life the best way I know how- with a cup of tea and a homemade treat."
Happy Birthday.
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.
Ahoy mateys! Or should I say, maTeas! It's a pirate's life for me and you at this high seas themed tea party. Who can resist the siren song of treasure, tropical islands, true friendship and adventure? You don't have to wear a suit to attend this party; an eyepatch, hook, or tricorn would be in better taste. So heed the call, put wind in your sails, and follow me! Ship fare was, historically, a sad affair. There was hardtack (usually with weevils for added protein), salt pork, rum, and the occasional salmagundi. But on the good ship Bedford Cottage, the menu is a little more diverse. The full bounty of the tropical isles we port in is present, served alongside the more practical, virtually unspoilable historical goods. Menu: Cashew Nuts Plantain Chips with Mango Salsa and Guacamole Hardtack and Salt Pork Jam Cannonball Cream Puffs Coconut Macaroons Grog Cupcakes Captain's Tea Dark and Stormy Cocktails
The hardtack served aboard the Bedford Cottage is actually a simple cracker recipe. Stiffer than a flatbread but softer than what the poor buccaneers would have had, it is most enjoyable with a spread of salt pork jam. The jam is a savory blend of bacon, onions, garlic, coffee, maple syrup and brown sugar. It is rumored that some pirates, including the famous Blackbeard, ate gunpowder to stir their courage before battle. While that can't have been pleasant, my gunpowder hardtack is. A little ground black sesame seed worked into the dough perfects the illusion of chowing down on the silvery black explosive.
Dead men tell no tales, but spreading the word about this awesome tea party is what we want here at Bedford Cottage Tea House, so no need to fear for your life! Share the bounty and throw a Pirate Tea Party of your own!
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.
What do you see when asked to picture a witch: green skin? Warts? An old hag? I see an ageless woman living alone in a picturesque cottage in the woods. Her hearth is lit, her walls are covered in books and jars of spell ingredients, and her table is set with spooky delights. She is a healer, a dabbler, a scientist; she is feared but respected, for there are few women like her. Since Halloween is right around the corner, I used the classical character of a witch as the inspiration for this autumnal tea. I strayed away from the comical and cackling stereotype, however, and chose to highlight the creepier arcane witches instead.
What's a witch's cabin without a few spider webs in the eaves? This beauty here is a blueberry pie with a simple web-lattice top crust accompanied by a pie dough spider. I hand-cut the crust, but there are multiple ways you could achieve this look. If you own a large number of round cookie cutters, you could easily create much thinner and more numerous circular strands, then simply intersect them with the vertical ones. The pie dough spider was also formed free-hand, using the leftover dough from the top crust. I made the head, body, and legs all separately then smushed them together, brushed on an egg wash, poked holes for the eyes, and baked. A witch needs all sorts of tinctures, tonics, elixirs, and extracts in order to supply villagers with the sundry potions they need. These bottles were all saved from the recycling bin and their previous labels removed. Most of them were once olive oil bottles, but one was balsamic vinegar and another was from vanilla extract. Any interesting bottle will do. You can use any manner of liquid to fill the inside: olive oil, food-colored water, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, whatever gives you the color and texture you are going for. All of the bottle labels and food cards were handmade, using coffee-stained paper and india ink. True paper would have been hard for a witch to procure, so I made them look as though they were the scrappy bits, too valuable to throw away and just the right size to be pasted onto a potion. One of the focal points of the tea table was the gingerbread house. I designed it to resemble the outside of the house that the tea was taking place inside of. The roof was shredded wheat with dragon's beard moss, the grass was matcha coconut, the path was coffee grounds, and the fence was black licorice. And of course there had to be a little black cat sitting inside the window. Please click through the gallery to see more of the unique decorations and food served at this witchy and weird party. I hope this BeWitching tea party has inspired you in delightfully eerie ways. If you have any questions about what I served or how I styled it, please let me know in the comments!
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