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.)
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