So I personally think the savoury afternoon tea course is there to keep me from the scones and pastries. Plain and simple. This kind of goes along with my opinion that everyone on the planet falls into one of two categories - they are really either a salt- or sweet-lover at heart. If given a... Continue Reading →
Christmas tea in London – the Savoy
London's The Resident online publication has just put out its list of top London luxury afternoon Christmas teas, and it's well worth having a look! It wasn't until I went to the Savoy one Christmas a few years ago that I realized how much the London hotels push the boat out with their Christmas teas... Continue Reading →
St. Paul Hotel
When it comes to the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area, the St. Paul Hotel is one place to get a great afternoon tea. I've been several times over the past few years to celebrate the holidays or a family event, and it's always been a lovely experience. You can go for a traditional afternoon tea, or... Continue Reading →
Aunt Mary’s Victoria Sandwich
To call the Victoria sandwich the classic teatime speciality would be more than stating the obvious. Reputedly one of Queen Victoria's favorite cakes, the recipe shows up as far back as 1874 in a cookery and household management book from Mrs. Beeton (who was basically your original - British - Martha Stewart).Everyone's got their favorite... Continue Reading →
Teatime in Colonial America
I've been intrigued by what teatime must have been like in Colonial America ever since I got into genealogy research, and found that it is believed that one of my ancestors was a participant in the Boston Tea Party, that he "helped to throw the tea overboard." And he wasn't the only one in his... Continue Reading →
Classic lemon curd
So I've been on a bit of a kick lately of making and baking some of the basic afternoon tea components that are staples for any great afternoon tea, like scones, or today's speciality, lemon curd. I like to have go-to recipes that I can count on to turn out every time I need them.... Continue Reading →
Chocolate and vanilla shortbread
It felt like a biscuit/cookie kind of weekend, and what better kind to make than a really good shortbread? I mean, a really, really tasty, melt-in-your-mouth kind of I-could-almost-be-in-Scotland shortbread? And two is always better than one, so I went for vanilla and chocolate - they may be basic, but they are still two of... Continue Reading →