Heading 1: Celebrate Fatherhood with a Delicious Afternoon Tea Spread
Fatherhood is a joyful experience that should be celebrated. Fathers often play a vital role in shaping our lives and making us who we are today. They are our protectors, cheerleaders, and mentors. As Fathers’ Day approaches, it is essential to acknowledge and appreciate all the significant ways in which fathers have made an impact in our lives. One great way to celebrate fathers is by hosting an afternoon tea party. Here are some tips and ideas for hosting a delicious afternoon tea spread to celebrate fatherhood.
Heading 2: Plan Ahead for the Perfect Afternoon Tea Spread
The best way to ensure that your afternoon tea spread is a success is through proper planning. Start by selecting a date and time that works for both you and your guests. It is also important to decide on the location, whether it will be a formal setting or a casual gathering. Most importantly, choose the perfect tea for the occasion. When selecting tea, consider the father of the day’s favorite flavor and put a twist on it. If he loves lemon, add some lemon wedges or lemon cake. It is also essential to have a good selection of teas for the guests to choose from and to keep an eye on how it is brewing so that it turns out perfect.
Aside from tea, a perfect afternoon tea spread should include a variety of snacks. These can include sandwiches, mini quiches, scones, and cakes. It is important to ensure that you cater to the dietary needs of your guests. For instance, if some of the guests are non-meat eaters, you should consider having vegetarian sandwiches or snacks on the menu.
Headline 3: Sandwiches
Sandwiches are an essential part of any afternoon tea party. They are easy to prepare and are a crowd favorite. The following are some sandwich ideas that are perfect for any father’s day afternoon tea party:
Egg Salad Sandwich: For a classic sandwich that everyone will love, try preparing an egg salad sandwich. It’s simple and easy to make, and it’s perfect for an afternoon tea party. To prepare an egg salad sandwich, whisk some mayonnaise, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Chop up some boiled eggs and mix them with the mayo mixture, then add in some chopped chives for flavor. Spread the egg salad onto some bread, add lettuce, and some black pepper, and voila!
Cucumber Sandwich: Cucumber sandwiches are a tradition at British afternoon teas and are a perfect way to keep things simple while adding a light, refreshing touch to your menu. To prepare a cucumber sandwich, start by thinly slicing a cucumber into circles and set them aside. Then, spread a layer of cream cheese on a slice of bread, top it with the cucumber circles and top with another slice of bread. Cut off the crusts and slice the sandwich into small triangles.
Pastrami Sandwich: If you’re looking for a sandwich with a bit more “oomph,” try making a classic pastrami sandwich. Spread some mustard on a slice of bread, add some slices of pastrami, followed by a slice of cheese. Top it with another slice of bread, slice it into small squares, and serve.
Headline 4: Mini Quiches
Mini quiches are another perfect snack for afternoon tea parties. They are simple to make and can be customized to suit any taste.
Bacon and Cheese Quiches: For a simple and savory quiche, try making bacon and cheese mini quiches. Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together some eggs, milk, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix some crumbled bacon bits, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray and ladle some of the egg mixture into each cup. Add the bacon and cheese mixture, and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the quiches are golden brown on top.
Spinach and Feta Quiches: For a healthier and vegetarian option, try making spinach and feta mini quiches. Start by sautéing some spinach in a pan with garlic until it’s wilted. In a separate bowl, whisk together some eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix in some feta cheese and the sautéed spinach. Pour the mixture into muffin cups, bake for 20-25 minutes, and enjoy!
Headline 5: Scones
No afternoon tea party is complete without scones. These tasty treats are easy to make and pair perfectly with tea. If you’re feeling adventurous, try making them from scratch.
Traditional Scones: To make traditional scones, start by preheating your oven to 425°F. Mix together some all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add some cold butter and mix it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together some milk, an egg, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and knead everything together until it forms a dough. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface and cut it into circles. Bake the scones for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Chocolate Chip Scones: If you have a sweet tooth, try making chocolate chip scones. Start by following the recipe for traditional scones, but add some chocolate chips to the dough before rolling it out. Bake the scones for 15 minutes, and serve them warm with some clotted cream and jam.
Headline 6: Cakes
Finally, no afternoon tea party is complete without some cakes. There are numerous options to choose from, but here are two delicious cakes that will add a sweet touch to your spread.
Lemon Drizzle Cake: Lemon drizzle cake is a classic dessert in the UK and is perfect for a summertime afternoon tea party. To make the lemon drizzle cake, mix together some all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add some eggs, vegetable oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and mix everything together. Pour the mixture into a greased loaf tin and bake for 35 minutes. While the cake is baking, mix some granulated sugar and lemon juice together. Once the cake is done baking, prick the top with a fork and pour the lemon juice mixture over it. Allow it to cool and serve.
Carrot Cake: Another classic cake is carrot cake. It’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for any father’s day celebration. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together some all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix some melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, grated carrots, and crushed pineapple. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix everything together. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. Let the cake cool before topping it with cream cheese icing.
Conclusion:
Hosting an afternoon tea party is an excellent way to celebrate fathers. By selecting the right menu, you can create a delightful and memorable experience for yourself and your guests. From sandwiches to scones, mini quiches, and cakes, there are numerous options to choose from to create the perfect spread. Make sure to plan ahead, cater to dietary needs, and select the perfect tea to make your father’s day afternoon tea party a success.
