MIX & MATCH AFTERNOON TEA

I love afternoon tea! A pot tea accompanied by some delicious treats catching up with friends is probably one of my favourite things.

Afternoon tea started back in the early 1800’s as a small bite to eat to tide ladies over until the late formal dinners. Today afternoon tea is a sumptuous spread more like a main meal and has been reinvented in many styles.

I will never forget going to the Savoy and sitting the Thames Foyer amazed by the glass-domed atrium and the seemingly never ending finger sandwiches, scones, petit fours and cakes.

Scones

For me scones are the epitome of afternoon tea, and they need to be served with clotted cream. I won’t dare go into whether it should be jam or cream first!

I’ve always enjoyed baking and scones are simple and a great activity to do with small children. My daughter’s favourite part is rolling out the dough and cutting them out, she really concentrates when she places them on the baking tray and loves using the pastry brush to add the egg wash.

My favourite recipe is a buttermilk one from Mary Berry. The great thing about this recipe is that the dough can be made the day before, great if you’re strapped for time. Making in advance has other benefits too, the gluten has a chance to relax, making it easier cut the scones out and if you time it right you can serve the scones warm from the oven. I’m a big fan of traditional strawberry jam with clotted cream on my scones but lemon or passionfruit curd is also delicious.

Mary Berry’s buttermilk and sultana scones.

Savoury

Finger sandwiches always spring to mind when you think about the savoury part of afternoon tea. But sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the filling options and the fear of bread drying out when made in advance. An easy and tasty swap would be some quick sausage rolls made with ready made puffy pastry. You can make the filling more exciting by adding extra herbs or spices. Check out my recipe in a previous blog post.

Homemade pine nut and chilli sausage rolls.

Mix and match

You don’t need a full matching tea set to create a lovely afternoon tea spread at home.

An eclectic mix of wares to create an eye catching afternoon tea. Jesmonite serving pieces made by A Softer Edge.

• Use mugs instead of tea cups and saucers.

• A tiered cake stand will create height and make more space.

• Mix homemade with bought treats like macarons or little tarts.

• Create a grazing platter using a tray or with a lazy Susan so everyone can help themselves.

• Use egg cups or small dishes to serve jams and clotted cream.

Jesmonite lazy Susan by A Softer Edge laden with treats.

Be generous when you create your grazing platter.

Tea bag tides to serve jam and clotted cream.

If you are lucky with the weather why not have an alfresco afternoon tea.

Having afternoon tea at home means you can pick and choose your favourite elements and make it as formal or informal as you want for you and your guests.