Creating a Tea Party - Art of Gracious Living #65

Inviting some friends over for a tea party creates an atmosphere where conversation can flourish. It gives us a way to connect with others, which is an essential for our good health.

Of course you can serve something other than tea, but I suggest tea because it seems to encourage lingering over a cup.

But, what's really important is that you have the conversation. If you do want to serve tea, some recipe suggestions are offered below.

Listen to the podcast for more information.




Cucumber Sandwiches

Cucumber Sandwiches are a tea essential. There are a zillion different recipes. I was chatting with a lady on a bus in London some years ago and she told me how she prepared hers. That is basically this recipe with a few modifications. She chopped cucumber into tiny bits and added it into the cream cheese mixture.

Also, if you're not going to make these right before eating, butter the bread so the bread doesn't get soggy. It has to be butter - not margarine - and that whole side of the bread covered. Just like oil and water - butter and sandwich filling don't mix - and that's a good thing in this case.

white bread cut into rounds (use a glass if you don't have a round cutter)

cucumber - I peel mine about halfway, leaving some green on them - sliced into thin rounds

butter

Filling:
cream cheese
onion
garlic
chives
dill

I mix these ingredients until I like the taste. Other people use different combinations but this is my favorite mix.

I use a bread round, buttered, then a bit of the cream cheese mixture, then top with a cucumber slice and garnish with a little fresh dill.

There's no wrong way to do them. As of yet, I've never seen anyone eat as many cucumber sandwiches as they'd like. They go quickly!



Lemon Bread

I found this recipe in a church cookbook. I made a few modifications, and I really like this bread. If you want a really tangy taste, add more peel and/or lemon extract to the mix.

1/3 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 to 1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 T. lemon peel
3 T lemon juice

Blend butter and sugar and beat in eggs. Combine dry ingredients and add to the egg mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix in lemon peel and juice. Bake in 350 degree oven for about one hour, until loaf is done. It will slice better after sitting for a day. You can use cookie cutters to make it into a pretty shape. Add some whipped cream and fruit on the side to dress it up if you like. Tea is all about the details.


Ginger Cookies

Ginger cookies are the perfect accompaniment for tea. I love this recipe with the crystalized ginger - it gives them a little extra punch. But you can leave it out if you don't have any.

2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
2 ounces crystallized ginger, minced

Mix and form into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in sugar and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Don't overcook them - take them out when they're still a little soft.