English high tea
One night after work, I was returning back home in a taxi. The lady cab driver was unusually chatty atleast unexpected after 4 months of driving back without experiencing any such interactions with the English folks that I had come across. She asked me about most things like, how was your day, and you work very late, where are you from etc..Once we both were comfortable with each other in the 20 min short drive route, she asked me difficult question "how do you find us the British folks?". I quickly blurted out, nice, I think you are guys are really warm and helpful. Her chortle still echoes in my head. She said, you are like I expect most Asians to be...always smiling and trying to please us.
She said I am told we are very uptight , she used some other word, but I assumed she meant this. Well, honestly most quintessential English folks, the older generations do come across as the preachy one's who have a word or two to tell you about everything you do. But then they are equally fun loving and have their moments of letting down the hair if you really become their friends.
The english high tea is no more a ritual in modern british families and no where in the world I believe people have the patience to either invite or get invited for such elaborate deals. But I decided to do it once for DH. A lot of planning went into finding the most popular, traditional recipes, getting the right crockery, coordinating for days when I would find takers (read DH and LO) to spend time at home for tea, ensure they are not stuffed enough for lunch yet take care they dont push too hard for getting their share until I had clicked the pictures..
Well..it is done and I am able to give you a glimpse of the old world charm of the empire that ruled more than half of the planet at a point..
The High tea as expected was loaded with a lot of choice on the tea flavors. The Earl grey tea is more preferred option however I know off late the jasmine, sweet hibiscus and other similar flavors are also picking up..
I had the lemon, ginger and masala tea to anglicise the overall experience...along with it I served Basic Scones, Cucumber Mayo Sandwich, Palmiers, Double Choco Chip cookies, Almond Vanilla Slice Cake, Vanilla Cupcake accompanies with jam, butter and clotted cream
I don't remember when was the last time we as a family enjoyed our 4 PM tea session as much. We really got chatty and hogged till we finished the plates pouring ourselves tea in between. I loved the experience...you go have yours soon..
Basic Scones are easy to make...read more to get the recipe here
Almond Vanilla Cake is a nice flavorful cake...read more to get the recipe here
Palmiers is an instant recipe from me to quickly convert a good puff pastry dough into something interesting...read more to get the recipe here
Double choco chip cookies is best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea...read more to get the recipe here
Cucumber sandwich is freshly cut cucumbers seasoned and sandwiched in fresh slices of brown bread.
Almond Vanilla Cake is a nice flavorful cake...read more to get the recipe here
Palmiers is an instant recipe from me to quickly convert a good puff pastry dough into something interesting...read more to get the recipe here
Double choco chip cookies is best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea...read more to get the recipe here
Cucumber sandwich is freshly cut cucumbers seasoned and sandwiched in fresh slices of brown bread.
Also check some other recipes...
Eggless Vanilla Cupcakes are on our fixed menu once a week for the little one's commute to school. ...read more to get the recipe here
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 44
Comments
And I guess these kind of teas are possible when we have helping hands.