It's A Girl

This food is pretty.  Bite sized.  Quaint.  Charming.  Appropriate for a baby shower, fitting for a tea.  But, if I'm honest, it's these gorgeous serving pieces that really elevate this whole spread.  I mean...assorted crystal cake stands change some wonder bread & cucumbers into a wow.  (Note, wonder bread is THE BEST for tea sandwiches).  So, while most of us can't run out and get dozens of these decorate trays--start collecting!  And for parties, transfer the idea of potlucking food, to potlucking cake stands.  It really makes a difference--especially for teas & showers.  Amy hung these handmade paper poufs above the buffet.  These photos don't do it justice--the quantity of her pink balls jammed together made a dramatic impact.  My menu was traditional tea time with a few highlights: watermelon radish tea sandwiches and lavender short bread.  The key ingredient in both: good butter!

 

 

  

 

The Menu

sips

pink champagne

tea selection: earl grey, english breakfast, ginger & mint

tea

cucumber & watercress tea sandwiches

watermelon radish & chive tea sandwiches

smoked salmon, cream cheese & dill on pumpernickel

prosciutto, fig jam & mint crostini

deviled quail eggs

steamed asparagus

currant scones

strawberry jam, orange marmalade & clotted cream

lemon chocolate tarts

raspberry & pistachio eton messes

earl grey cookies

lemon almond tea cake

carrot cake cookies

fresh strawberries

chocolate ganache bites

the favor

lavender shortbread & earl grey tea

High Tea

During college I spent a rainy month in London. Without a real purpose for being there, I aimlessly strolled through museums, read The Bell Jar in Hyde Park, saw American Psycho in a fancy movie theatre and as many West End shows as I could. But despite the great surroundings, I was lonely, lost. I found great comfort in the ritual of the afternoon tea. Who couldn't be charmed by dainty finger sandwiches, crumbly scones with globs of clotted cream and fresh raspberry jam, flecked with seeds? It was heaven. Those delightful afternoons were my inspiration for this weekend's baby shower. All of the nibbles and treats were artfully displayed on tiers of crystal and floral cake stands. Amy embraced shades of pink and lady-like floral and ribbon touches to celebrate the near arrival of Frannie's little girl. Guests brought baby photos of themselves, which Amy displayed above the assorted teacups and everyone filled their ballots with their matching guesses. All in all, a proper and lovely afternoon tea.

The Menu

pink champagne

iced moroccan mint tea

iced pink rose tea

english breakfast, earl grey, green, and peppermint teas

pickled quail eggs

steamed asparagus with green peppercorn champagne dip

minted english pea soup shots

tea sandwiches

cucumber and watercress on white bread

curried egg salad with roasted tomatoes on wheat

gravlax, cream cheese, capers and dill on pumpernickel

smoked turkey and cranberry on orange currant muffins

rose water scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream

carrot cake cupcakes

raspberry french macaroons

pink coconut macaroons

raspberry filled chocolate cups

fig and pomegranate tarts

chocolate espresso cookies

almond sugar cookies

lavender lemon squares

white chocolate petit fours