Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

 

 

Here in Britain, we celebrated Mothering Sunday back in March, but tomorrow people in the rest of the world will be celebrating motherhood and honouring the very special women in their lives: mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, godmothers and even aunties. So what could be a more special way to spoil the extraordinary women in our lives then by treating them to a decadent afternoon tea – which if you ask me, is an occasion made for mums!

 

In case you didn’t know by now, I really love the idea of a themed afternoon tea (come to think of it, I love the idea of a themed anything!) and when it comes to a Mother’s Day afternoon tea party, vintage is the only way to go, with mismatched, floral, china teacups, an elaborate cake stand, bird cages, and decorations in the form of pearls and lace. Mothers are obviously all different, so you’ll cater your tea party to your mum’s tastes but inspiration for my ideas have come my own mother who’s pretty big on tradition.  Chocolate and flowers also feature quite heavily as they tend to be gifts we traditionally give our mothers on their special day. Colours for this event could be in the traditional pink and lilac, or any pastel hue, or maybe even cream and gold for a classic vintage feel. With the weather getting warmer, there’s a good chance that you could hold your tea party outdoors.

 

When thinking about the menu, I went for old-school English classics, real ‘like mother used to make’ stuff, with an added touch of elegance and luxury. After all you can’t get more English than afternoon tea, so English classics it is!  The list below gives food ideas of what you can include as part of your afternoon tea party menu:

SANDWICHES

• Egg and cress
• Cucumber and cream cheese
• Crab
• Ham and English mustard
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese
• Rare roast beef and horseradish
• Rose petals with honey
• Prawn mayonnaise

SAVOURIES

 

• Smoked salmon soufflés
• Mini sausage rolls
• Blinis with smoked salmon
• Mini Cornish pasties
• Parmesan thins
• Roast beef-filled Yorkshire puddings
• Goats’ cheese rarebit
• Spinach and parmesan muffins
• Cheese straws
• Potted shrimp on melba toast
• Trout pate on melba toast
• Mini chicken and asparagus pie

SWEET SCONES/TOASTED BREADS

 

• Crumpets
• Tea loaf
• Tea cakes
• Brioche
• English muffins
• Scones with clotted cream and rose petal jam

CAKES, TARTS AND OTHER SWEET TREATS:

 

• Victoria sponge cake
• Apple pie with cinnamon cream
• Chocolate fudge cake
• Lemon drizzle cake
• Cherry Cake
• Jam tartlets
• Battenburg cake
• Rose and raspberry  or chocolate macaroons
• Fruit cake
• Mini Bakewell tarts
• Chocolate mousse with sugared violets in shot glasses
• Mini English trifles
• Pink and lilac iced buns
• Lavender shortbread
• Chocolate éclairs
• Strawberry shortcake
• Custard slices
• Florentines

DRINKS:

 

• Tea!
• Frozen strawberry daiquiris
• Mixed berry tea
• White chocolate mocha
• Jasmine tea
• Pink lemonade
• Chilled Chrysanthemum tea
• Raspberry bellini
• Cava with nasturtiums
• Pomegranate Martini
• Chamomile tea
• Champagne with hibiscus
• Chocolate flavoured cocktails

Don’t forget the extras you need to serve such as butter, clotted cream, honey and a selection of jams to go with the toasted breads and scones. And for the savouries, you may need to provide a variety of chutneys, sauces and pickles.

Here’s a recipe for the unusual but delightful sounding rose petal sandwiches which is taken from The Vintage Tea Party Book by Angel Adoree

ROSE PETAL SANDWICHES

 

Makes 24

INGREDIENTS:

60 dried organic rose petals

Few drops of rose essence

25g (1oz) butter, at room temperature

12 slices of soft white bread

6 tsp lavender honey

METHOD:

1. Soak the dried rose petals in a bowl of cold water with the rose essence for 20mins.

2. Drain and set aside.

3. Butter the bread.

4. Spread honey over 6 of the slices.

5. Divide the petals between 6 slices of honeyed bread.

6. Top with remaining slices.

7. Cut off crusts.

8. Cut each sandwich diagonally into four.

9. Serve immediately.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!