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.

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

Such a wonderful post on English high tea with each dish looking so perfect. I want to taste everything ...
Such a wonderful post on English high tea with each dish looking so perfect. I want to taste everything ...
Harini R said…
That is quite a spread, Pradnya. If I make such elaborate stuff, my husband will think that has has mistakenly entered the wrong home :)
Usha said…
Nice spread for the high tea. Very nicely done. Last year some of my girl friends & I treated ourselves with a high tea here in the city. This lounge was on top floor of the hotel and a beautiful view of Central park. It was fun.
Priya Suresh said…
Gal, u rock, cant imagine make this much elegant spread at home.. Would love to invite myself to ur place.
Pavani said…
Lovely posst and loved the whole setup and the dishes Pradnya. A lot of planning and preparation went into that post.. Well done.
Unknown said…
omg girl thats a vast High tea table ;) all baked goods are really tempting me !! perfectly done dear !!
Srivalli said…
Such an awesome spread Pradnya, every thing is inviting..will be checking out the individual recipes soon..great job though..
Padmajha said…
I wonder how you cooked so many dishes! What an awesome spread! Will check out dishes soon :)
Chef Mireille said…
High Tea actually has become very popular here in recent years and several restaurants do the whole formal affair and in fact I worked at one of them where we had more than 100 selections of tea with all 3 courses. You did a fabulous job and so nice for your family to experience the ritual
Oh my such a beautiful spread pradnya! Love that crockery, amazing gal, where do you keep your stash of energy locked? Pss, let me know place plss!!!
Foodiliciousnan said…
My My! Pradnya...what a wonderful spread and hpw beautifully presented. Love the crockery as well. That little holder with the jam and butter is oh-so-cute!
Suma Gandlur said…
That's a wonderful spread. I guess if I had this kind of evening tea, I would miss my diiners for sure. :)
And I guess these kind of teas are possible when we have helping hands.
Archana said…
Delicious spread guess I should try this kind of spread one day.
Unknown said…
Wow.. that's a wonderful spread & sure it would have been a good experience.

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