Some like it hot- How to host a Tea Party by Melanie Knight
Somewhere in the last few years, I have embraced hot tea. I’m not entirely sure if it was due to Downton Abbey, or the Netflix series Bridgerton! Either way, I am in love with hot tea and the elegant soiree known as a “tea party”.
A tea party is an enchanting experience where you wear your frilliest frock, complete with a dashing hat. The tables are set with real tablecloths and real china. Everyone is on their best behavior and the room is filled with lively chatter as ladies take dainty bites of fancy treats and sip their hot drinks.
For many, it is the first time they’re trying hot tea; especially if they grew up like I did in the South
drinking sweet ICED tea lol!
If you are as excited as I am for the upcoming coronation of King Charles on May 6, hosting a tea party
might be perfect choice for a viewing party.
If this is your first tea party, you can keep it simple or go all out. It’s a great opportunity to use your
grandmother’s china, or have your friends bring pieces from their homes for an eclectic collection of
pretty tea cups and saucers.
For tea, serve a selection of teas like Earl Grey, black tea or my favorite Vanilla Chai. Be sure to have
cream and sugar on hand as well. While you can serve traditional English foods, I prefer to serve mini
versions of my favorite sandwiches and desserts.
To get you started, here are some simple tasty recipes for you.
Very Berry Mini Cupcakes by Melanie Knight (makes 24 plus 1 -8 inch round cake)
You’ll love these strawberry mini cupcakes with raspberry frosting. But since 24 is more than enough,
use the remaining batter and make an 8 inch single layer cake for later!
Ingredients
1 pkg Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme cake mix
1 cup water
3 large eggs
½ olive oil
Mini cupcake liners
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer, mix the water, eggs and oil on med high speed until well blended. Next, mix in the dry cake mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Fill mini cups 2/3 full. For the remaining batter- butter and flour an 8inch cake pan. Pour remaining batter into the pan.
Bake the mini cupcakes for 12-14 minutes. Bake the 8inch cake for 24-28 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Raspberry Frosting
2 sticks sweet cream butter- room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp raspberry flavor
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 drops red food coloring
With an electric mixer, mix on medium speed butter, heavy cream, raspberry flavor and food coloring.
Mix in powdered sugar ½ cup at a time until well blended.
Using a decorative tip- frost each cupcake.
Garden Ranch Pinwheels by Melanie Knight (makes 12 pinwheels)
These simple pinwheels can be made with various ingredients. Try different wrap flavors to create your own unique pinwheels.
Ingredients
2 Mission Garden Spinach Herb wraps
1 cup Cabot plain Greek yogurt
½ pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dry seasoning mix
8 fresh spinach leaves
1 tomato- thinly sliced (4 slices per wrap)
8 slices Hillshire Farm Black Forrest Ham
12 toothpicks
Directions
Mix together the yogurt and ranch seasoning. Spread it on both tortillas- all the way to the edges in a thin layer. Top with spinach leaves, tomato slices and ham. Beginning on one edge, roll the wrap up, tucking as you go. Using the tooth picks, skewer the wrap (6 per wrap) for each pinwheel slice. Use a bread knife and starting on 1 end, slice each pinwheel between the toothpicks.
Mini Pimento Cheese Croissants by Melanie Knight (makes 6)
6 mini croissants (fresh bread section of the grocery store)
1- 11oz tub of Palmetto Cheese
12 fresh spinach leaves
6 olive slices for garnish
Using a bread knife, slice open each croissant (like a clamshell so the 2 halves are still attached). Add two spinach leaves, then spoon the pimento cheese on top (about 1-2 tablespoons). Garnish with a toothpick and olive slice.
Cucumber Crostini by Melanie Knight (makes 12)
These are cute, simple & tasty!
Ingredients
½ French baguette- thinly sliced into 12
¼ pkg cream cheese
1 tablespoon Great Value Everything Bagel seasoning
1 cucumber- thinly sliced (you need 12 thin slices)
6 cherry tomatoes, cut in round slices
Directions
Spread the cream cheese on each bread slice. Sprinkle with bagel seasoning. Using a knife, cut each cucumber slice from the end to the center (but not all the way in half). Twist the cucumber slice into a curl and press into the cream cheese. Top with a slice of tomato.
