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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Happy National Gin and Tonic Day! Today is National Gin and Tonic Day, and although I am happy to imbibe one any day of the year, I'm thrilled there's a day entirely dedicated to this classic cocktail. You may remember that last year I celebrated with a variation on the G&T that included a jasmine green tea simple syrup. Well this year my G already has the tea, so all it needs is T. Translation: today's gin is distilled with botanicals and tea, so no need to add any more. Gin, a little tonic water, a garnish, and you've got a tea lover's and gin lover's cocktail ready to serve. The gin is from Townshend's Distillery, located in Portland, Oregon. They started as a tea company and then transitioned into distilling as well. This is the first spirit I've tried from them, but I am excited to explore their other offerings! Naturally, they have more than one tea-centric liquor and I can't wait to experience them all. I urge you to go to their website and take a look- maybe something will strike your beverage fancy! What makes this particular gin selection so special is that it is distilled with jasmine silver tip green tea, chamomile flowers, and lavender buds. The tea gives this gin a slightly grassy quality that is balanced by the floral aromatics. Some of the other botanical gins I've tried lose their acidic backbone, which can make the sweet floral notes overwhelming and undermine the traditional gin flavour that I love. This gin manages to steer clear of that folly, retaining the juniper punch and bitter high notes of a more traditional style. If ever there was a sipping gin, I think this might be it. However, because this isn't World Gin Day (June 8th!), but rather Gin and Tonic Day, I'm drinking this gin with a light tonic and a simple garnish. Using a light tonic water instead of a full-sugar variety means you still get the effervescence and quinine kick, but without masking more delicate profiles. Garnish with a cucumber slice, lemon wedge, or lime squeeze and you have a simple, classic, yet utterly unique gin and tonic.
Although all the foods were chosen for their adherence to the color scheme, the flavours were anything but monotone: crisp and sweet jicama was complemented by lime hummus; the vichyssoise was rich and creamy; the cheese board was a mix of fresh and aged cheese, with a variety of milk types, and three different crackers for texture. I served a Jasmine Silver Needle white tea as the beverage of choice because it was simply perfect. Not only is it a white tea by definition, it is a white tea in appearance as well, thanks to a soft fuzz that still clings to these young leaf buds. The flavor is mild and delicate, with a gentle floral scent from the jasmine flowers. Everything about this tea is graceful and divine. I served it from a vintage Spode Camilla tea pot, as there should be a little something blue at every wedding. The angel food cake was a light and airy contrast to the heavier elements of the tea, like the deviled eggs. Perhaps it was ordained that those two dishes should be served together. The grand finale dish was the champagne jelly with popping candy. What would a wedding be without a little bubbly? The jelly was fully flavoured by the champagne, but the popping candy reintroduced the sensation that gives bubblies their name. Champagne Jelly with Popping Candy 1 bottle champagne, cava, prosecco, or other sparkling wine Approximately 3/4 cup water, simple syrup, juice, or tea 4 packets gelatin Plain popping candy* Measure sparkling wine into a 4 cup measure. Take note of needed amount of second liquid to bring total to 4 cups. Pour sparkling wine into a large bowl. Sprinkle all 4 packets of gelatin over sparkling wine and let bloom for 5-10 minutes. In the meantime, measure out the second liquid and in a small saucepan heat through until almost simmering. Pour second liquid into sparkling wine and stir until all the gelatin is dissolved. When all gelatin granules have dissolved, pour liquid through a strainer into square cake pan or mold. Let set overnight in fridge. Cut into cubes and serve with popping candy. The candy will begin to pop and fizz when it comes into contact with moisture, so be sure to keep your supply shut tight until just before service. Instruct guests to heap a small amount onto jellies before eating. *I used the Culinary Crystals brand in unflavored, available on Amazon. It would be fun to get some flavored versions and play around with pairings. Let me know if you try it! This is the perfect tea whether you're getting married soon, someone you know is, or you're willing to get up at 4am to watch the royal nuptials take place in real time. Elegant without being too fussy, traditional but with a twist, a White Wedding Tea Party is just the thing for a season of love.
Love is just a game, but one that everyone can play! Valentine's Day isn't just for romantic love; everyone can celebrate the special people in their lives. This tea party is perfect for families, friends, book clubs, and bridge groups. So if you love the thrill of the game, the camaraderie that comes with it, or the glory of victory, then gather your loved ones and play along. Game Play: Hummus and Tapenade Tiles Tic-Tac-Scones Puzzle Pot Pies Melon Marbles Domino Meringues Cinnamon Shortbread Stacks Checkerboard Cookies Guests get a choose-your-own-adventure style tea, using BINGO cards to indicate what they want in their personalized blend. Feeling lucky? Circle the *Go Wild* space and let your host blend a tea for you! Black tea with coconut, cinnamon, brown sugar and milk was a lucky draw; it was sweet, aromatic, and full of body, just the thing to keep a sporting mind sharp. What blend would make you yell, "Bingo!"? Maybe a white tea with hibiscus and honey? Green tea over ice? To not play is the only way to lose at this game. This tea party might be the one time you're allowed to play with your food before you eat it! Arrange your tiles to spell a high-scoring word, or challenge your neighbor to a game of tic-tac-toe with black pepper and red cheddar scones. If you don't get three in a row, maybe you'll get some Xs and Os instead. The shortbread stacks are just stable enough to pile a few on your plate, but try and steal a neighbor's and you might end up with crumbs! Everyone's a winner with these delectables, so there won't be any hard feelings by the end of the afternoon. So whether you're a lover or a fighter, a champion or an underdog, a quiz-whiz or a bad bluffer, there is room for you at this table. After all, it's all fun and games, even when love is involved.
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