When is the last time you attended a tea party? Was it a tea held to celebrate an anniversary, an engagement, a new baby? Or was it when you were a child surrounded by your dolls and teddy bears? It's time to bring back an old tradition --- It's time for tea.

It's really not about tea, the beverage. It's about "Tea" the ritual of sharing food and drink with others. The "tea party" is an old-fashioned way of sharing hospitality, friendship, love, and joy. The ceremony of taking tea acknowledges the importance of those who are special to us.

When I think of tea parties what first comes to mind is a room full of Victorian ladies sipping tea from delicate porcelain cups and saucers. All are arrayed in ruffles and lace, wearing wide brimmed hats and pristine white gloves. And yet the ritual of a daily cup of tea goes far beyond this image.

In England, a midmorning cup of tea is called "elevenses", the equivalent of the American coffee break. The afternoon break is referred to as "having a cuppa".

Low tea is served in the late afternoon and a light snack is served.

Cream tea is so called because clotted cream is served, usually with jam and scones.

High tea is traditionally a working man's tea or light supper, also known as
a "meat tea."

Think of an occasion to celebrate. Would a tea party be suitable? Yes, probably. The obvious occasions might be a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding or a baby shower. But how about the less obvious.... the everyday happenings that should be marked and celebrated?

A new family moves into the neighborhood... invite them to meet the neighbors at a Saturday afternoon tea. This need not be formal... use mugs instead of china, serve iced tea and punch, simple sandwiches and cookies could be served... it's not about the menu, it's about the welcome.

Celebrate the important times in your child's life. The first day of school, report card day, a birthday, Halloween, or "just because." This could be as simple as a special treat after school just for you and your child or as elaborate as a "dress-up" party for your child and their friends. Is it a rainy weekend? How about a teddy bear tea, just for your child and their favorite toy.

Tea for Two...

A romantic breakfast in bed, a simple light supper by the fireside, or a thermos and sandwiches in the park. Use your imagination and keep it simple so you both can relax and enjoy this time together.

Tea for One...

Enjoy your own company. A solitary time to enjoy your own company and celebrate your uniqueness. Take a half an hour in the morning or afternoon. Gather together your favorite beverage, a cookie, a book, and your favorite music. Put your feet up and relax. No time? Steal 10 or 15 minutes when you get home from work....stand your ground make a tradition....no one complains or whines or even shares their exciting day until you have had your cup of tea and left "the work-a-day world" behind. You will then be ready to share your world, joyfully, with your family.

Daily rituals keep you centered and help you live life fully.

Beverages:

• Tea: hot, iced, or herbal...in china cups and saucers, hefty mugs or in frosted glasses for the iced tea.
• Punch: cold or hot.
• Coffee: why not?

The Food:

• Tea Sandwiches: Use a firm bread...not the soft squishy type. Lightly butter the bread and add your favorite filling (egg salad is traditional or use shaved turkey with honey mustard). Chill the sandwiches, tightly wrapped, (This will make it easier to cut them,) trim the crusts and cut into fingers or triangles.
• Other fillings: Cream cheese, olives and walnuts... Soften a small brick of cream cheese add drained chopped green olives with pimentoes and finely chopped walnuts. Spread on brown bread. (No need to butter this bread.)
• Cream cheese and marmalade.....Soften a small brick of cream cheese and stir in 4 tablespoons of good marmalade. Spread on whole wheat or Boston brown bread.
• For children... The old standby, peanut butter and jelly, crusts trimmed, and cut into fingers, triangles, or cookie cutter shapes.
• From an Australian friend...
  Fairy Bread.....here is the exception to the "firm" bread rule... children love the squishy kind... Spread bread with softened butter and sprinkle on "hundreds and thousands." (The multicolored sprinkles used on cookies and cakes)
• Scones: A must for a real "English" tea.
  Add jam and my substitute for clotted cream and turn it into a "cream" tea.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Cups flour
  
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 6 Tablespoons butter
  
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk soured with a Tblsp of lemon juice or vinegar)
  
• 1 lightly beaten egg
  

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Mix until dough is sticky and holds together... do not overmix.

Pour out dough onto a floured surface and shape into a 6-8 inch round about 1 and 1/2 inches thick. Cut into pie shaped wedges or use a round cookie cutter.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet so sides are not touching. Brush with beaten egg.

Bake at 425 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes or until light brown.

For variety you may add to the dough:

• 1/2 cup raisins and 1/2 cup chopped nuts or
• 1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped nuts or
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or cherries (well drained) or
• 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (well drained) and 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 oz. softened cream cheese
  
• 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar
  
• 1/4 cup sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

Blend all together and chill... Recipe may be doubled.

No Fuss... No Muss Suggestions:

Purchased treats are perfectly acceptable.
Mini muffins, Cupcakes... just call them teacakes.
Cookies... the prettier the better.
Purchased tart shells filled with lemon pudding or fresh fruit topped with a dollop of Faux clotted cream or whipped topping.

Above all enjoy yourself and enjoy your time with family and friends.

For even more English Recipes, please read the "Freestyle" column in this issue of The gURLz Gazette. This time, the theme is "All Things English."

"Sterling Moon is my favorite specialty coffee!" David E. Brown,
[Billy Joel's former lead guitarist for 11 years] Gloucester, MA

Visit the gURLz Gazette Archives to read previous articles by this author.

Disclaimer   |    Archived Articles