A High Tea visitor? or just a delicious Asparagus Boat Canape....

So I have been thinking for a little (or a whole lot) while about what constitutes a high tea and have come to the conclusion that really the sky is the limit, as long as the food is small and delicate. Finger Food.

Cupcakes and Cucumber Sandwiches aside - this delicious looking Asparagus recipe harks back to the good old days. Now where do I find a boat tin?

Asparagus Boats

Ingredients

Short Pastry
1 Cup Plain Flour
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
60g Shortening
2 Tablespoons Cold Water
2 Tablespoons Milk
1 Egg

Filling
2 Tablespoons Butter
3 Tablespoons Flour
1 small tin Asparagus Cuts
1 Cup Milk
Salt and Pepper

Parsely to garnish

Method

Short Pastry
Sift Flour Baking Powder and Salt into a bowl.
Rub Shortening through the Flour mixture with the tips of fingers.
Make a well in the centre and stir in water gradually to make a dry dough.
Turn onto a floured board and knead until smooth.

Line Boat Tins with Pastry and prick well.
Brush over with Milk and Egg glaze.
Bake in a moderate oven until very lightly browned.

Filling
Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in Flour and mix well.
Allow to thicken and cook well.
Add drained Asparagus and Salt and Pepper to taste.
Heat well then fill boats with the mixture.
Garnish with Parsley.
Serve at once on hot plates.

Recipe source "Day to Day Cookery, compiled by I. M. Downes"

A Tea Party Bar

Imagine hosting a tea party where the focal point of the occasion is actually Tea. The perfect idea for entertaining at home, a Tea Party Bar can be easily set up indoors or outdoors and will really impress your guests.

Invite your Guests

The whole idea of this Tea Party Bar is for guests to help themselves. Invite them to make their own favourite brews and to explore new tea taste sensations. Of course you will be able to offer them your own delicious suggestions. You are really only limited by your imagination. Use your favourite Teacups and Plates. 

This Tea Party Bar is a simply beautiful idea for a Baby or Bridal Shower Tea or Kitchen Tea and would make the perfect ending to any Dinner Party.

What to set out on your Tea Party Bar
On a gorgeously decorated table set out any or all of the following:

Assorted Teas
High quality Loose Leaf Teas - Black, Green, Oolong and Flavoured. An assortment of top quality Teabags.

Sugars
Various Sugars or sweeteners including Sugar Cubes, Demerara Sugar, Rock Sugar, White Sugar or even Sugar Swizzle Sticks. Other sweeteners can include Honey, Maple Syrup, Sugar Syrup and Molasses.

Milks
Adding Milk can be as simple as a dash to whiten or why not offer the following to take the tea experience to a whole new level - Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk, Coconut Milk, Whipped Cream or Pouring Cream.

Garnishes
Offer thinly sliced Lemons, Oranges or Limes. Wedges can also be used. Sliced or fanned Strawberries are sweet.

Spices
Use Cinnamon Sticks to add flavour or as actual stirrers for the teas. Fresh Mint Leaves, Cardomom Pods, Cloves, fresh or crystallized Delicious Treats for Afternoon Tea Parties. Ginger slices or whole Star Anise. Also offer ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg.

Luxury Items
To have an indulgent time, have small pieces of Chocolate, Caramels, After-Dinner Mints and even fresh Rose Petals. (These are all for putting into your tea)

Spirits or Liqueurs
A selection of your favourite Spirits or Liqueurs. Present them in crystal or cut-glass Decanters. Delicious examples are Drambuie, Rum, Scotch, Creme de Menthe. 

The Teawares

You will need tea cups, saucers and teaspoons. Use your favourite China and don't worry if they're not matching. Sometimes the prettiest effect can be made by using gorgeous Teacup sets found in second hand shops. We love mixing florals and pastels.

Tea Infusers
Provide individual Tea Balls or Infusers so that your guests can make their tea in their own Teacups.

Freshly Boiled Water
This is the other essential ingredient to a great cup. You could set up Urns with the freshly boiled water, but another idea that I like is to provide it in pretty Teapots set up along the table.

The Finishing Touches
This Tea Party Bar idea is open to your own interpretation. It could be a lavish, Formal affair or a more intimate and Casual gathering of friends. Incorporate your favourite things into the Tea Experience.

Use your favourite Linen and Tea Linens, maybe even offer Cloth Napkins. Use Teawares and Tableware & Servingware that define you. Add vases of fresh flowers (I love tea and roses) to your tables or even single stems in interesting glasses. Create a night time Tea Party and add candles or tealights for an added ambiance.
   
Tea Party Food Ideas

You will probably be offering your guests finger foods to enjoy with their cups of tea. Here are some suggestions to carry on the theme. Set these up on a separate table as Luxurious Extras.

Jams
For freshly baked Scones. Try Rosehip, Rose Petal, Strawberry, Lilac, Lavender, Violet or even Lemon Curd or Lemon Butter.

Creams
Clotted Cream, Whipped, Flavoured with Vanilla or even Chocolate.

Butter
Little pats of Butter in gorgeous shapes, Butter Curls, Whipped or even Flavoured Butters are ideal.

Sandwiches
Tiny sandwiches cut into hearts, circles, anything but boring squares or triangles - use cookie cutters. Fill with the traditional Cucumber slices, Cold Meats, Savoury Spreads and baby Salad Ingredients.

Mini Treats
Make miniature everything. Little servings of delicious treats always look that extra special. Bake any of the following in mini size - muffins, cupcakes,lamingtons with pastel icing, pikelets, petit fours, biscuits, scones, caramel or custard tarts.

Now all you have to do is show your guests a few of your new recipes for a delicious cup of tea, keep the freshly boiled water topped up and the rest will all fall into place. Remember, half the fun of this Tea Party Bar idea is that your guests can help themselves. So sit back, relax and have a fun time drinking tea with your friends.

Liqueur Tea Recipes

Indulge your tastebuds with Tea to which your favourite Liqueur or Spirit has been added. Liqueur Teas are really nice to serve to your friends as a decidely different After-Dinner Tea drink.

Add the Liqueur to your Teacup or tall heatproof Glass, first. Then add your freshly brewed Tea.

Liqueur teas are a delicious alternative to the usual 'nightcap'. Favourite additions include Grand Marnier for a mellow orange taste, various Flavoured Schnapps including Butterscotch and Peppermint and of course Creme de Menthe. Almost any Spirit or Liqueur can be added to your Teas.

After-Dinner Mint Tea

To liven up your palate after dinner, why not serve an After-Dinner Mint Tea. Simply add Creme de Menthe or Peppermint Schnapps to your cup. Top with Black Tea - delicious. Use Sugar Syrup, Honey or Milk to taste.

Mmm... Chocolate & Tea

Add a few pieces of good quality Chocolate to your Teapot when brewing your Tea. Use this Chocolate Tea to make a Choc Mint Tea or even serve it just as it is. Want more decadence with your Chocolate Tea? Serve it in a tall Glass with Kahlua and top with swirls of whipped Cream and Chocolate curls - who says Tea is boring.

A Hot Shot

Pour a shot of your favourite Liqueur into a Liqueur glass. Add a dash of hot Black Tea. This will add that extra zing and slightly warm it up.

Green or Black Tea Liqueur

This recipe will make a strong Tea Liqueur that is nice to sip on those cold nights, preferably in front of a crackling fire with a special friend.

ingredients
5 heaped Tblspns of Green or Black Tea Leaves
1 Cup of freshly boiled Water
1/2 Cup Sugar Syrup
1 Cup of good quality Vodka

method
Place the Tea Leaves in a teapot and pour over the boiling water. Allow to steep for 5 mins. Strain the Tea and allow the resulting Tea Essence to cool. Add the Sugar Syrup and Vodka. Pour into a sterilised bottle and store in a cool dark place for 2 weeks. It is then ready to drink.

Tea Nightcap

This recipe will serve two

ingredients
2 tspns Green Tea leaves
2 tspns Sugar Syrup
1 Cup boiling Water
60ml Brandy
1 Cup warm Milk

method
Place Tea Leaves in your teapot along with the Sugar Syrup. Pour over the boiling Water and steep for 10 mins.

Serve the Tea by straining it into Teacups to which 30ml of Brandy has already been added. Top up with warm Milk.
~Sweet Dreams~

Cooking with Tea & Tea Leaves

Just as there many different types of teas, there are also many different uses for tea, especially in your cooking and recipes.

Tea is not just for drinking from a tea cup. Think of tea as a herb and use it everyday instead of other more traditional herbs. Add it to your Ice-Cream, marinade chicken or even use it dry-roasted.

Make your own Green Tea Icecream

For a delightful dessert idea, why not sprinkle some powdered Matcha Green Tea over vanilla ice-cream, or soften your vanilla ice-cream and fold the Green Tea through it. 
 
How to make a Dry-Roasted Green Tea Crumble

Dry roast Green Tea in a hot, dry pan, until it becomes slightly crisp. Cool and store in an airtight container. The uses for these delicious tea crumbs are limited only by your imagination.
 
Add to butter for Green Tea Butter

Use Green Tea Butter to make a delicious and different Herb Bread. Sprinkle over baked vegetables as a garnish. Top pasta dishes with a sprinkling before serving. Scatter over your favourite green salad.

Tea used as a Garnish or that special 'Secret Ingredient'

Using dry-roasted Green Tea in your special hot and cold dishes and keep your guests guessing as to what that delicious ingredient is. This dry-roasted Green Tea is delicious sprinkled over your baked vegetables just prior to serving.
 
Tea used in Steaming, Marinades and Rice

Add Tea Leaves to the water prior to steaming fish or vegetables to impart a delicate flavour.

Make a pot of Black Tea, allow to cool and marinade your meat prior to cooking. Wonderful for chicken.

Add a pinch of chopped Green Tea Leaves to your water prior to boiling pasta, rice or noodles.
 
The Japanese have always used Green Tea...

Traditionally, Japanese have always enjoyed Green Tea flavoured ice-cream.  The Japanese also add Green Tea Leaves to many dishes including noodles, rice, sauces, tempura batters, sweets, cakes and pastries.

Delicious Scones

Use cold tea to soak all your dried fruits in prior to baking them in scones, biscuits, cakes and puddings. Not only does this plump up the dried fruits, but also imparts a delicious flavour. 

Flavour for Fruit Salads

Make a pot of fresh Jasmine Green Tea or Black Rose Tea. When making fresh fruit salads, add a little of the cold tea to the syrup. This delicious idea will give you double the dose of health benefits - both from the fruits and the tea

Chai Tea Recipe

Chai Tea is traditionally an Indian method of making tea. The tea is usually brewed in a pot and made with milk, water and a selection of wonderful additions like spices.

There are various ways to make your own Chai Tea by adding spices and other ingredients. Ready blended Chai Tea can also be purchased from tea suppliers.

Chai Tea Latte
   
Made with milk, Chai Tea could best be described as like having a wonderful Tea Latte. Serve your hot Chai Tea in a tall glass for a classic touch. Make your own Chai Tea Recipe. Try using all milk, evaporated milk or even condensed milk when making your Chai Tea, for a full and creamy tea drink sensation.

How to make a cup of Chai Tea

Ingredients
Per Person

1 - 2 heaped teaspoons of Chai Tea Leaves
1/2 Cup of Milk
1/2 Cup of Water

Method

Add all of the above ingredients to a saucepan and place on the heat.
Bring to just-about-to-boil, immediately take off the heat, fit the saucepan lid, and steep for 2-4 minutes.

Strain into your tea cup or tea glass. Add sugar as desired.

This Chai Tea is a great warming and comforting tea.

Rose Petal Tea

Tea and Roses always seem to conjure up the romantic images of afternoon garden tea parties and delicate Spring days. Add some romance to your next tea party with the beautiful colours and fragrances of rose petals and fresh roses in bloom.

Rose Tea with Rose Petals

The delicate rose fragrance of this tea make it a delight for all your senses and a pleasure to drink. This tea is perfect for serving at special occasions like afternoon teas, baby shower teas, kitchen teas, bridal shower teas, or even at a garden wedding. Match the colour of the rose petals to the theme colours of your special occasion. Pure romance in a tea cup.

Blend your own Rose Petal Tea Mix

Add 1 Cup of Black Tea Leaves to 1/4 Cup of dried Rose Petals. Combine and store in an airtight tea caddy.

To Make the Tea
per cup: Add 1 heaped teaspoon of the Rose Petal Tea Mix to 1 Cup of freshly boiled water. Steep for 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.

Rose Petal Tea Punch

This recipe is a delightful version of traditional punch. It is a gorgeous idea for many special events, including tea parties, engagements, garden weddings and shower teas. Of course you can replace the alcohol with Ginger Ale or extra Lemonade.

Method
In a large jug mix together 500ml cold Ceylon Tea, 150ml Brandy and 200g of Caster Sugar. Refrigerate.
 
To Serve the Rose Petal Tea Punch;
Pour the cold tea mix into a large punch bowl and add 1 litre of Lemonade and 1 bottle of chilled Dry White Wine. Add Ice Cubes, thinly sliced Strawberries and float fresh Rose Petals. Add Rose Petal Ice Cubes for that extra touch of romance.
 
Sugared Rose Petals

Use these beautiful Sugared Rose Petals for decorating Cakes, Cupcakes and other Afternoon Teatime delicacies.

You will need
Rose Petals
Egg White
Caster Sugar

Method
Simply lightly whisk the Egg White.
Dip each Rose Petal into the Egg White.
Remove and then dip into the Caster Sugar, ensuring both sides are fairly evenly coated.

Air dry the Rose Petals on a cake rack until dry. This will take a number of hours. They will store well in a dry, airtight container.

NB When using Rose Petals ensure the Rose Petals that you use for your rose tea recipes are pesticide-free.

Scone Recipes

A cup of Tea served with freshly baked Scones is a real treat. Scones are light and delicious served warm, straight from the oven. Scones are traditionally served with Butter, Jam and Clotted Cream. 

Date Scones 
One of my personal favourite recipes for 'yummy' Date Scones.
I've learnt from experience to make a double batch when baking these Scones as they disappear so quickly.

ingredients
makes 12
2 Cups Self Raising Flour
1/2 Cup chopped Dates
2 Tblspns Butter
2 Tblspns Caster Sugar
1 Egg
3/4 - 1 Cup of Milk
1/4 tspn Salt

method
Preheat oven to a hot 200°C 

Sift the Flour and Salt into a bowl. Rub the cold Butter into the Flour. Add the chopped Dates.

Lightly beat the Egg. Add the Sugar and Milk to the beaten Egg and stir until the Sugar is dissolved.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and stir in the liquid, mixing to form a moist dough. Roll out on a floured surface, cut into Scones and place on a floured baking tray.

Brush tops with a little beaten Egg and Milk (reserve a tiny amount from your previous steps) Bake in your hot oven for 12 - 15 mins. Allow to cool wrapped up in a tea towel.

Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin gives a truly delightful taste to Scones. The Pumpkin adds a richness and moistness which is just delicious. Of course they are also that very pretty pale orange Pumpkin colour.

ingredients
2 Cups Self Raising Flour
1/2 Cup cooked, mashed Pumpkin
1/3 Cup Sugar
2 Tblspns Butter
1 Egg
1/4 tspn Salt
1/3 Cup Milk

method
Preheat your oven to a hot 200°C

Cream the Butter and Sugar. Add the Egg, beating well. Add the mashed Pumpkin.

Sift the Flour and Salt twice and then add alternately to the Scone mix with the Milk. You may or may not use all of the Milk. It will depend on the moistness of the Pumpkin. You should end up with a moist dough.

Knead slightly on a floured surface and then roll out to a 1 inch thickness. Cut out and place on your greased and floured baking tray. Brush the tops with a little milk. Bake in the hot oven until just browned. Wrap in a tea towel after removing the Scones from the oven. 
 
Girdle Scones
Try something new and delicious, by making your next batch of Scones in this traditional way. Girdle scones are sometimes known as Griddle Scones because of how they are cooked.

ingredients
2 Cups Self Raising Flour
1 Tblspn Butter
3/4 Cup Milk
1/2 tspn Salt
Flour for rolling

method
Preheat your griddle. Sift the Flour and Salt into a bowl. Rub in the cold Butter. Make a well in the centre and pour in all of the Milk. Mix with a knife using a cutting motion, until you have a moist dough.

Take Tablespoon sized pieces of the Scone dough. Roll in flour and form a circle with each piece about 1cm thick. Cut each circle into quarters.

Sprinkle a very light dusting of Flour onto your preheated griddle. Place your Scone pieces onto the griddle. Allow to cook long and slow. The Scones will slightly rise and brown on the underside. Turn over each one and repeat for the other side. When cooked, wrap in a tea towel to cool.
 
The History of Scones

From the Gaelic word Sgonn (pronounced like gone), Scones originated in Scotland. The meaning of the word Sgonn meant a shapeless lump of dough.

As Wheat never grew very well in the Scottish Highlands, Scones were originally made from Barley or Oat Flour.

The first Scones were cooked over a fire on a griddle or 'girdle'.

As time passed, the Scone dough was eventually baked in a circular shape and cut into quarters - or farls- similiar to the delicious scones that we all know and love today.

Clotted Cream Recipes

Clotted Cream is a specialty of Devonshire, England. Unpasteurised milk isn't usually freely available here in Australia, so I have included these recipes that try to imitate the delicious qualities of Devonshire or Clotted Cream. 

Mock Devonshire Clotted Cream 

ingredients
1/2 Cup of Cream
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
2 Tblspns Icing Sugar

method
Whip the Cream, gradually adding the Icing Sugar. When soft peaks are formed, fold through the Sour Cream. Store in the refrigerator. 

Mock Clotted Cream

ingredients
1 Cup Cream
250g Cream Cheese
1 tspn Icing Sugar

method
Beat all the ingredients together. Store in the refrigerator

How to Make Iced Tea

Iced Teas are a fantastically refreshing drink for our long, hot summers and there a number of ways to make the perfect Iced Tea. In all of our Iced Tea Recipes you can use your favourite black, green or flavoured teas. Iced Tea can be made using both loose leaf tea and teabags.
     
You can make Iced Tea while you are sleeping .
   
Iced Teas are so easy to make, you can even make it overnight in the refrigerator. You can find out how to make easiest ever iced Tea below. This makes Iced Tea one of the coolest and easiest summer entertaining drinks around. Although any tea can be used for making Iced Tea, the best teas to use for Iced Tea are Ceylon and Keemun as they do not go cloudy when left to stand.
   
How to make Iced Tea using Loose Leaf Teas
   
Method 1
Make a pot of tea using  Loose Leaf Tea, adding 1-2 teaspoons more than usual.

Leave to infuse to the required strength, strain into a jug and add Caster Sugar or Sugar Syrup to taste. Leave to cool or refrigerate.

To Serve
Fill tea glasses or tall glasses with Ice Cubes or Crushed Ice then top with the chilled tea. Garnish with whatever you fancy- slices or twists of lemon, orange, slices of kiwi fruit, fresh strawberries or sprigs of mint leaves.
   
Method 2 - Overnight
In a tall jug, add 2 teaspoons of Loose Leaf Tea per cup. Fill the jug with cold water and place in the refrigerator overnight. Sweeten as required.

To Serve
Add Ice cubes or crushed Ice to your tea glasses, strain the tea and pour over. Garnish as above.
   
How to make Iced Tea using Teabags
   
When making Iced Tea using Tea Bags, the tea doesn't go cloudy and it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Method 1
Make a pot of tea using Tea Bags, adding an extra Tea Bag more than normal.

Leave to infuse to the required strength and then pour into a tall jug and leave to cool. Add Caster Sugar or Sugar Syrup to taste.

To serve
As above.
   
Method 2 - Overnight
In a tall jug, add 1 Tea Bag per cup. Fill the jug with cold water and place in the refrigerator overnight. Sweeten as required.

To Serve
As above.
   
       
A Simple Sugar Syrup Recipe
   
Sugar syrup is easily made and can be just the right sweetener for Iced Teas. You will probably be familiar with its' use in Cocktail Recipes.

In a saucepan add
1 Cup of Sugar and 1/2 Cup of Water. Heat to boiling, stirring to dissolve the Sugar. When all dissolved, cool slightly then pour into a sterilised jar.  Store in the refrigerator up to 3 months.
   
Tea Ice Cubes

A great idea to accompany your Iced Teas or even to serve in Lemonade, Mineral or Soda Water for a deliciously different twist. Simply add your favourite freshly brewed and cooled Tea, or Iced Tea, to ice cube trays and freeze until ready to serve. You can even add extra sugar, lemon twists, lemon juice, fresh mint leaves, sliced strawberries or even rose petals.
      
Liqueur Iced Tea Frappe
   
You will need
Frozen Tea Ice Cubes (recipe above)
Your favourite Liqueur

method
Place Tea Ice Cubes into a blender and crush. Fill Frappe, Cocktail or Liqueur Glasses with the crushed Tea Ice. Top with your favourite Liqueur. Garnish and serve immediately.

Chocolate Tea Truffles Recipe

These gorgeous chocolate tea truffles are designed to please and delight your guests at your next tea party. They are also perfect for serving after dinner with your favourite cup of tea.  When indulging in these delicious truffles think of it as enjoying all the health benefits derived from tea and chocolate at the same time. 

Ingredients

makes 40

3 Tblsps Black Tea Leaves
1/2 Cup Freshly Boiled Water
1 Tblsp Rum or Whisky
60g Unsalted Butter, softened
2 Fresh Egg Yolks
1 Cup Icing Sugar, sifted
375g Dark Cooking Chocolate, melted
any of the following toppings:
Cocoa Powder, Crushed Nuts, Chocolate Sprinkles.

 
Method

Place Tea Leaves in a pot and pour in the boiling water. Cover and infuse for 5 minutes. Strain. As the Tea Leaves will swell considerably in this small amount of water, gently press them to extract the tea essence.

Stir the Rum or Whisky into the tea essence.

In a bowl, beat the Butter and Egg Yolks together until light and creamy. Gradually add the Icing Sugar and continue beating until smooth.

Add the melted Chocolate and tea essence alternately to the butter mixture and beat until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

Cover and refrigerate approx 1 hour to firm up the truffle mixture.

Using slightly damp hands, take teaspoonfuls of the truffle mixture and roll into balls. Don't worry about getting them perfectly round at this stage.

Return the balls to the refrigerator, covered, for at least a couple of hours, to firm up.

When ready to serve, roll each ball in one of the toppings, rounding the balls as you go. These truffles will keep for 2 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator - if they last that long.

Cambric or Nursery Tea

Originating in France, Cambric Tea is a milky white tea that was named after the white Cambric Linen that was made in the city of Cambrai.

Cambric Tea is a comforting and nutritious tea.

This Cambric Tea is a nutritious, hot drink that doesn't contain the usual stimulating effects of tea.  Cambric Tea is perfect for serving to children, to someone a 'little under the weather' and to the elderley.

The English version, also known as Nursery Tea, uses milk instead of cream.
   
Cambric Tea - French version
   
Ingredients
Sugar - approx 1 teaspoon per cup
Heavy Cream, warmed
Boiling Water
Hot Tea, strongly brewed
 
Method
Place sugar in a cup, fill the cup to  2/3 with boiling water.
Stir to dissolve the sugar.
Fill the last 1/3 of the cup with the cream.
Add a tablespoon or two of the strongly brewed tea to give a white, light tea.
   
Nursery Tea - English version
   
Traditionally English, Nursery Tea was given to children in their Nurseries mid-morning and mid-afternoon, for some much needed sustained energy and vitality.

When children sat down with their mothers at teatime this white tea was what their mothers gave them to drink.

Ingredients
per cup
1 Cup of Milk
1 teaspoon Hot Tea, strongly brewed
1 teaspoon Sugar

Method
Heat milk, add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
Add the strong tea and serve.
     
Vanilla Nursery Tea
   
Make Nursery Tea as per above. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla Extract per cup of milk, whilst heating.