Long Live the Queen!

Her Majesty The Queen Tea Party

Happy 89th Birthday to Queen Elizabeth II. I think it's a perfect day to enjoy the great British tradition of afternoon tea!

I've read that Earl Grey is the tea of preference of Buckingham Palace.  And her Royal Highness does shop at Fortnum & Mason.  So you could break out the good china today and pop over to your local Williams-Sonoma and pick up some Fortnum & Mason Earl Grey Classic tea to celebrate.  After all, they've been suppliers of tea to the royal houses for over 300 years!

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Union Jack and discontinued Diamond Jubilee pattern.)

Long May She Reign!

 Coronation Chicken Sandwiches

I'm doing my best planning and preparing to serve up a 

"proper" English tea

this Diamond Jubilee Weekend.

Yesterday between polishing the silver and starching the doilies, 

I practiced making Coronation chicken tea sandwiches. 

My tea sandwiches are inspired by the famous Coronation Chicken recipe 

created by Constance Spry for the 

Queen's Coronation lunch in 1953.

Coronation Sauce

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches

Makes 6 sandwiches to cut into smaller tea sizes

2 chicken breasts, rubbed with Madras curry paste 

and roasted in a 350F oven until a meat thermometer registers 160F.  

Let the chicken cool.  Next shred the chicken and cut into a small dice size.

For the sauce:

1/4 C. Mayonnaise

1/4 C. Sour Creme

2 T. Mango Chutney

1 T. Madras Curry Paste (I used Patak's brand) 

2 T. Chopped fresh Coriander

6 Dried Apricots chopped

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.  

(I prefer a bit more spice and if you do, too,

just add more curry, chutney and coriander.)
Add the chicken, mix well.

For the tea sandwiches:

Lightly spread softened butter on the bread slices
and then a light spreading of mayonnaise.

Fill with the Coronation Chicken mix.

Press down slightly and cut into squares, triangles or fingers using a serrated knife. 

Garnish with watercress.

Serve and enjoy!

As for Queen Elizabeth II,

I truly admire her. 

Long May She Reign!

As for my Wedgwood Embossed Queen's Ware
1953 Coronation Tea Set...
can you believe I found it covered in dust in an Oregon antique shop
last year.  It had never even been used.
I think it would have made a lovely wedding gift to
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge don't you?
Sorry Wills and Kate,
I'm keeping it!

(In the photos:  Vintage Wedgwood 1953 Coronation Tea Set and

Wedgwood Queen's Ware Edme Sandwich Tray.)

Jubilee Countdown

 Jubilee Dress Rehearsal

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend

 is now just days away 

so I'm in dress rehearsal mode 

trying out a few new recipes for my 

Jubilee tea party.

 Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes

My Jubilee tea party menu is very traditional 

and includes both sweets and savory.

I think these Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes

are sure to be the "star" of the celebration!

 The Ingredients

It's always good advice to buy the best ingredients you can.

With this recipe, 

you really want to splurge and buy the best strawberry jam 

available. 

I went with Wilkin & Sons Ltd. 

Tiptree Strawberry Preserve from England.

They hold a royal warrant...

so if it's good enough for the Queen

it's good enough for me!

 Oops!

The mini cakes are made in a British mini-sandwich tin.

Here in the States, 

you can use a mini-cheesecake pan for the same results. 

Don't worry if your cakes bake too high 

and you end up with muffin tops.

Just take a serrated knife and cut the tops off and then you'll have 

the perfect shape and size.

Mini Sponges

You'll end up with perfect little sponge cakes
(like these)

thanks to their baking pan's design with straight sides. 

Mini Victoria Sandwiches

After the cakes have cooled on a rack, 

you cut each cake in half 

and layer on buttercream 

and then a teaspoon of strawberry jam.

Fit for a Queen!

The last step is to lightly dust the cakes with icing sugar 

and they're ready for your tea table!

And yes,

this recipe truly is

"fit for a Queen"!


(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Diamond Jubilee & Union Jack Pottery and Betty and Barclay Union Jack Bunting.)

Fit for a Queen!

 Diamond Jubilee Tea Party

It's countdown time...

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebration 

is just a little over two weeks away now.  

I wish I could be in England 

attending some fabulous village street parties 

but since I can't

I'll be celebrating here in the States all Jubilee weekend long

with parties of my own. 

My Diamond Jubilee celebrations will be mostly tea parties 

since I am a huge fan of British afternoon tea. 

 British Tea Mugs

To set the stage for my tea parties

I've been collecting British Union Jack and British "themed" china. 

Thanks to my "very kind and thoughtful" British knitting friends,

(Thank you Jo and Teresa!) 

I've even had wonderful tea mugs sent to me all the way from England

for my Jubilee celebrations!

Union Jack pottery

No Jubilee celebration would be complete without 

Emma Bridgewater's Union Jack pottery!

I've began collecting Emma's Union Jack pattern

ever since I visited the Emma Bridgewater factory last year. 

I knew it would be perfect for my Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Emma also has a limited-edition Diamond Jubilee range 

which has been a smashing success!

I love this range and special-ordered a few mugs and plates.

Many of the pieces can be personalized and hand painted by artists 

at Emma Bridgewater.  I had my tea mugs personalized with 

"cuppa" on them since that is so "British" to me!

 Queen of Cakes

Besides china, 

I've also purchased some new British cook books

 to make authentic British tea party treats. 

I recently discovered Britain's Mary Berry who is known as the 

"Queen of Cakes"

so I had to buy her book called, 

100 Cakes and Bakes. 

I also adore the book Vintage Tea Party which is filled with tea party recipes 

and encourages us to bring out our treasured vintage tea things for our tea table.  

The author Carolyn Caldicott owned the World Food Cafe in London's Convent Garden.  

She has been collecting tea recipes ever since she was a child.  

I'm so glad she is sharing them in her darling book! 

So now, I'm off to finalize my Diamond Jubilee Tea Party plans.

On the menu already are:

Scones with Devonshire Cream and Strawberry Jam

Coronation Chicken Sandwiches

Cucumber Sandwiches

Egg and Cress Sandwiches 

Victoria Mini Sponge Cakes

and 

Lemon Tarts

I think her Royal Highness,

would approve!

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Union Jack & Diamond Jubilee pottery, Mason Cash Knitannia Mug, Waitrose Tea Mugs, Vintage Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Mug

and Union Jack Bunting by Betty and Barclay.)

Long May She Reign!

 Diamond Jubilee Tin

The Diamond Jubilee

celebrations for 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

are now just a few months away.

The official Jubilee Weekend Celebration is June 2nd - 5th, 2012.

I wish I could be in London for all the Diamond Jubilee celebrations!

Since I haven't figured out a way to get to London,

I've decided to celebrate here at home...

all Jubilee Weekend long.

Naturally my celebrations will include tea parties and luncheons.

I've already stocked up on tea from my favorite British tea purveyor,

Whittard of Chelsea.

I love that they have a website for American shoppers now 

with affordable postage rates from the UK.

I couldn't resist Whittard's shiny blue Diamond Jubilee Tin

especially since I have their Golden Jubilee Tin

from my trip to London in 2002.

Golden Jubilee Tin

As much as I love Whittard of Chelsea, 

I must admit, 

I wish their Diamond Jubilee Tin 

was more like their 2002 Golden Jubilee Tin.

Whittard's Golden Jubilee Tin was a larger tea caddy and 

was filled with two Golden Jubilee loose teas,

selected by Giles Hilton, Whittard Tea Master,

to commemorate that special occasion.

I am excited though to have the Diamond Jubilee Tin.

It comes filled with 40 English Breakfast teabags
which I will enjoy now and on the Jubilee Weekend.

Long May She Reign!

Now I'm excited to spend the next few months 

planning my Diamond Jubilee menu and parties.

Thanks to my knitting pen pal, Teresa in England,

my Diamond Jubilee menu will include an authentic

Coronation Chicken recipe!

I'll be sure to share ideas and tips 

over the next few months.

My first tip is...

  treat yourself to some Whittard of Chelsea tea!

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Union Jack Pottery and Spode Blue Italian & Blue Room.)

Strawberry Tea 2011

 A Strawberry Tea Party!

This summer all over the UK,

 ladies are having fundraising Strawberry Tea Parties. 

British ladies are baking, canning and knitting all for the wonderful effort to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.  I love this campaign!  How wonderful...

 tea parties with a cause!

 Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes

For more information, have a look the UK's Breast Cancer Care website. 

I love their Top Tea Party Tips, Recipes and, of course,

 their Strawberry Tea Cosy.
 

The adorable tea cosy is a free pattern, thanks to knitwear designer Libby Tomey who supports this cause.  Knitters knit up Strawberry Tea Cosies and then raffle them off at Strawberry Teas.  I love this idea! 

I found a delicious recipe for Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes in Cupcakes by Janet Smith.  (Yes, it's even a British cook book.) 

So, now I'm ready for a Strawberry Tea Party!

I do hope this idea takes off here in America...

 for one of our Breast Cancer charities. 

In the meantime,

 it's a nice reminder to make a donation to one's favorite charity.  

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Hearts Tea Cups and Plates and Blue Toast & Marmalade Teapot.)

Royal Wedding Tea & Scones

 Royal Wedding Tea Party

for One

Oh, the Pomp and Circumstance..

Fairy tales do come true when the girl next door can marry her Prince!

Katherine Middleton was breathtakingly beautiful and Prince William certainly was Prince Charming!  I stayed up all night to watch The Royal Wedding live and I'm so glad I did!

I've been enjoying all the Royal Wedding coverage drinking my Twinings Royal Wedding Tea in my Union Jack tea mug with Savoy Scones.

This was my first time making Savoy Scones.  Here are a few of my tips from following the Savoy Scone recipe:

Savoy Scone Tips:

The secret to making thick British-style scones is

to not over mix your dough and

roll out the scone dough to 3/4" thickness. 

 For proper looking scones,

stamp out 2 1/2 " rounds with a pastry cutter.

Transfer scones to a baking sheet and

brush tops with an egg wash.

Let the scones rest for 15 minutes before baking.

Be patient and do not skip this part!

Enjoy your fresh baked scones

with clotted cream and jam.

The Savoy Scone recipe will certainly be one of my "go-to"
tea party recipes now. 

You can find the recipe here with American measurements
and find the UK version in Taking Tea at the Savoy.


(In the photos:  Hand Knit Tea Cosy, Emma Bridgewater Union Jack 1/2 Pint Mug & Spode Jane Seymour Plate.)

Royal Wedding Dress Rehearsal

Twinings Royal Wedding 

Commemorative Blend

The Royal Wedding is just days away now.  In fact, dress rehearsals begin tomorrow at Westminster Abbey. 

I'm having a bit of a dress rehearsal myself trying out my Royal Wedding tea

that I had shipped from England.

Royal Tea Dress Rehearsal

I'll be celebrating the Royal Wedding in style with Twinings Royal Wedding Commemorative Blend.  It's a special edition White Earl Grey with Rose Petal Tea blended exclusively to commemorate the
Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. 

To enjoy this tea, Twinings recommends:

Use one teabag per person and pour on boiling water, leave to brew for no more than 1 minute (or you will loose its delicate flavor).  It's perfect without milk but the Queen won't mind if you prefer to add a splash of milk.

I've sampled the tea both with and with out milk and do prefer it without milk.  I'm so glad I had a dress rehearsal so I am properly ready for the big day now!

I plan on enjoying my Royal Wedding tea with scones
(smothered with Scottish Strawberry Perserve with Champagne )
when I watch the Royal Wedding in my pajamas.  How about you?


(In the photos: Vintage Spode Jewell china.)

Royal-Tea

A Royal Wedding Tea

I've got my fascinator and Union Jack tea mug...

I'm ready for a Royal Wedding Tea Party...

How about you?

Well then, we better get to planning. 

British Tea Books

We've got just over 2 weeks to plan a lovely Royal Wedding Tea Party. 

Now is a perfect time to pull out any British tea books you may have for menu inspiration, ideas and recipes.  A few of my favorites are The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea and Taking Tea at the Savoy. 

From Taking Tea at the Savoy:

Think of afternoon tea and what comes to mind?  Ladies in smart hats, floral tea dresses, and white gloves, sipping Earl Grey from bone china cups, little finger poised in mid-air, then daintily cutting off a piece of fruit tart with a silver cake fork or delicately eating a cucumber sandwich, crusts removed....

Feeling inspired?  Let's talk about the menu!

The Savoy

The Savoy is one of London's great hotels for afternoon tea. 

My husband and I honeymooned at The Savoy ten years ago. I love my little tea book souvenir, Taking Tea at the Savoy.

I think Savoy Scones are perfect for a Royal Wedding Tea menu. 

Chef Anton Edelmann's scone recipe is not only in Taking Tea at the Savoy but also here when he was a guest on The Martha Stewart Show.

For perfect scones both Chef Anton Edelmann and Britain's Delia Smith have this tip:

 for perfect English scones, dough should never be rolled out to anything less 3/4" (2cm).  Hmm, so that is why scones in England always have more height than American scones!

Tea at The Ritz

Besides tea and scones,  A Royal Wedding Tea menu should include cucumber sandwiches,  traditional finger sandwiches, a few sweet treats and, of course, strawberry jam and clotted cream for the scones.

I've never had tea at The Ritz London due to its strict formal dress code (gentlemen must wear a jacket & tie) but I have sneaked a peak at the gorgeous Palm Court Tearoom inside.  A nice gentleman even gave me an Afternoon Tea Menu.  Feel free to use this Afternoon Tea Menu as a guide for planning your Royal Wedding Tea menu.

Lastly, don't forget to bring out your best china and your favorite pot of tea.  I'm thinking a lovely Earl Grey or commemorative Royal Wedding Blend is just what the Royal Couple ordered!

Good luck planning your Royal Wedding Tea Party.

Remember you can even treat yourself to a "tea party for one" while you watch the Royal Wedding in your pajamas, like me.  Just don't forget to wear your fascinator...

Kate would like that!

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Blue Toast & Marmalade Tea Pot and Union Jack mug, Fascinator by August from Nordstrom, and assorted tea books.)