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Writer's pictureAngel Noire

Mothering Sunday Vintage-Style Afternoon Tea



Britain always celebrates Mother's Day ahead of the rest of the world, so in a few days time, people all over Britain will we celebrated Mothering Sunday and honouring the very special women in their lives: mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, godmothers, aunties, mother figures... So what could be a more special way to spoil the extraordinary women in our lives than by treating them to a decadent afternoon tea?




We really love the idea of a themed afternoon tea and when it comes to a Mother’s Day afternoon tea party, vintage is the only way to go, with mismatched, floral, china teacups, an elaborate cake stand, bird cages, and decorations in the form of pearls and lace. Chocolate and flowers also feature quite heavily as they tend to be gifts we traditionally give our mothers on their special day. Colours for this event could be in the traditional pink and lilac, or any pastel hue, or maybe even cream and gold for a classic vintage feel. With the weather getting warmer, there’s a good chance that you could hold your tea party outdoors.




When thinking about the menu, we went for old-school English classics, real ‘like mother used to make’ stuff, with an added touch of elegance and luxury. After all you can’t get more English than afternoon tea, so English classics it is! The list below gives food ideas of what you can include as part of your afternoon tea party menu:


SANDWICHES



  • Egg and cress

  • Cucumber and cream cheese

  • Coronation chicken

  • Ham and English mustard

  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese

  • Rare roast beef and horseradish

  • Rose petals with honey

  • Prawn mayonnaise


SAVOURIES

  • Smoked salmon soufflés

  • Mini sausage rolls

  • Blinis with smoked salmon

  • Mini Cornish pasties

  • Parmesan thins

  • Roast beef-filled Yorkshire puddings

  • Goats’ cheese rarebit

  • Spinach and parmesan muffins

  • Cheese straws

  • Potted shrimp on melba toast

  • Trout pate on melba toast

  • Mini chicken and asparagus pie


SWEET SCONES/TOASTED BREADS



  • Crumpets

  • Tea loaf

  • Tea cakes

  • Brioche

  • English muffins

  • Scones with clotted cream and rose petal jam


CAKES, TARTS AND OTHER SWEET TREATS:



  • Victoria sponge cake

  • Apple pie with cinnamon cream

  • Chocolate fudge cake

  • Lemon drizzle cake

  • Cherry Cake

  • Jam tartlets

  • Battenburg cake

  • Rose and raspberry or chocolate macaroons

  • Fruit cake

  • Mini Bakewell tarts

  • Chocolate mousse with sugared violets in shot glasses

  • Mini English trifles

  • Pink and lilac iced buns

  • Lavender shortbread

  • Chocolate éclairs

  • Strawberry shortcake

  • Custard slices

  • Florentines


DRINKS:



  • Tea! Choose from various types including, black, white, green, oolong, fruit and herbal

  • Frozen strawberry daiquiris

  • White chocolate mocha

  • Pink lemonade

  • Raspberry Bellini

  • Cava with nasturtiums

  • Pomegranate Martini

  • Champagne with hibiscus

  • Chocolate flavoured cocktails


Don’t forget the extras you need to serve such as butter, clotted cream, honey and a selection of jams to go with the toasted breads and scones. And for the savouries, you may need to provide a variety of chutneys, sauces and pickles.


Here’s a recipe for the unusual but delightful flower petal sandwiches which has serious Mother's Day vibes, and was inspired by a recipe created by Angel Adoree from her cook book The Vintage Tea Party Book


FLOWER PETAL SANDWICHES

Makes 12


INGREDIENTS:


6 slices of soft white or wholemeal bread

50g (1oz) softened cream cheese

2 tsps. honey

3 tbsp. good quality conserve

3 tbsp. Chocolate ganache

3-4 tbspn. organic edible flower petals of your choice

Few drops of rose essence


METHOD:


1. Mix cream cheese and honey, then spread over the slices of bread.

2. Add dainty blobs of conserve and ganache over three of the bread slices.

3. Top those slices with the petals then place remaining slices on top.

4. Crusts on or off is up to you.

5. Enjoy!


If you're using dried flower petals, you can soak them in a bowl of cold water for twenty minutes. You can add rose essence, vanilla or orange blossom water if you wish. Drain well before potting in sandwishes.



Photos: Pixabay

Blog graphics: Angel Noire




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