I shared my top tips for evoking the feeling of travel during a pandemic, and now I am following through with one of my own tips- make your own afternoon tea! I am so, so happy we did this. It was so much fun and really felt like such a treat.
Every time Preston and I travel, we make it a time and budget priority to attend afternoon tea- no matter what country or state we’re in. My favorite tea I have ever experienced was definitely afternoon tea at the Plaza in NYC- all my Eloise dreams come true!
Scones- Make sure not to overwork them or over bake them!
Clotted Cream- I have searched high and low for regularly pasteurized cream- not ultra-pasteurized. The only place someone I know has ever been able to find it was Whole Foods, but I check there every time I go and even ask someone at the store to help me- nothing. I settled with using the UP, and it mostly worked! It just doesn’t yield as much as you would hope with putting in four cups.
Cucumber Sandwiches- I had Preston cut the cucumbers because I am notoriously lazy at chopping, i.e. I would have cut them way too thick.
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches- For this I just cut the wheat bread into really thin slices and spread pimento cheese on! Super simple. I think a rye bread would be really good with these!
* Tip on the sandwiches, freeze the bread for 30 minutes, as well as leave the spread out for 30 minutes. This makes spreading a lot easier. Also, using a bread knife makes the edges extra neat.
Tomato Pie – I actually didn’t have time to make this, but I really want to make it soon. Not a traditional tea item but definitely looks worth it!
Chocolate Mousse Tarts + Strawberries with Lemon Curd- My neighbor got these two recipes from her Southern Living Entertainer’s cookbook! I think you could find equivalent recipes on Pinterest.
Besides the recipe, don’t hesitate to bring out your matching plates, any kind of tiered tray you have and your most elaborate setting! I have my grandma’s china at my parent’s house, and this really made me want to bring it to our house. I think this is going to be a pretty regular occurence, so i probably will!
Make sure to tag me in your Instagram photos if you host your own socially distanced afternoon tea! This is definitely an event you will want to show off your pictures from!
