Introduction
Father’s Day is a special occasion where we get to appreciate the dads and father figures in our lives for all the hard work, support, and love they give us throughout the year. A perfect way to celebrate this special day is by taking your dad for a traditional afternoon tea. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with him, relish delicious treats, and make memorable moments. This article offers menus and recipe inspiration on how to spoil Dad with a traditional afternoon tea.
Setting the Mood
To set a perfect atmosphere for the tea, start by selecting a venue that will depict a cozy and homely atmosphere. You can choose to have the tea in your home garden, living room, or at a fancy hotel that offers afternoon tea services. Once you’ve set the location, decorate the dining table with a crisp white linen tablecloth, vintage crockery, and fresh flowers with vibrant colors. To create a welcoming ambiance, consider playing some relaxing background music that your dad loves, such as classical or jazz.
Menu Planning
A traditional afternoon tea is composed of three parts- savories, scones, and sweets. The menu should include a variety of bites that cater to everyone’s taste buds. Here are some ideas you could try for each category.
Savories
Savories are delicious finger foods that are served before the main course to whet the appetite. Traditionally, they comprise sandwiches, wraps, and small pastries. Here are some savory recipes you could experiment with:
1. Cucumber and Mint Sandwiches
Ingredients
– 12 slices of white bread
– 1/2 cucumber, sliced thinly
– Fresh mint leaves
– Lemon juice
– Salt
Method
– Trim the crusts from the bread slices, brush with lemon juice, and season with salt.
– Place the cucumber slices on one slice of bread, evenly spread the mint leaves over them, and top with the second slice of bread.
– Cut the sandwiches into small rectangles or squares and serve.
2. Lobster Rolls
Ingredients
– 4 lobster tails
– 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon chopped chives
– Salt and pepper
– 4 rolls
Method
– Remove the lobster meat from the tails and chop them into small pieces.
– Mix the meat, mayonnaise, chives, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
– Cut the rolls in half, spread the lobster mixture on the bottom half, and cover with the top half of the roll.
– Garnish with chives and serve.
Scones
Scones are sweet, crumbly baked goods that are best served with clotted cream, butter, and jam. Here are two quintessential scone recipes to try out:
1. Classic Plain Scones
Ingredients
– 225g self-raising flour
– A pinch of salt
– 55g butter, preferably chilled
– 25g caster sugar
– 150ml milk
– 1 egg for the egg wash
Method
– Preheat your oven to 220C/180C fan/gas 7.
– Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and rub in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. You can use a food processor or a tamper to do this.
– Stir in the sugar and mix well.
– Pour in the milk and mix to form soft dough.
– Dust a clean surface with flour, gently knead the dough, then shape it into a round and cut out circles with a cookie cutter.
– Beat the egg and use it to brush the scone tops.
– Bake the scone for 15 minutes until golden brown.
2. Chocolate Chip Scones
Ingredients
– 2 cups of self-raising flour
– 1/4 cup of caster sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/3 cup of unsalted butter
– 2/3 cup of milk
– 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
Method
– Preheat your oven to 220C/180C fan/gas 7.
– Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
– Cut in the butter until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
– Add the milk and chocolate chips and mix to create a soft dough.
– Roll out the dough to a 1-inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out pieces.
– Brush the tops with milk and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Sweets
Sweets are the centerpiece of the afternoon tea; they’re indulgent treats perfect for satisfying your sugar cravings. Here are some sweet recipe ideas for your afternoon tea:
1. Lemon Drizzle Cake
Ingredients
– 175g soft butter
– 175g caster sugar
– 3 eggs
– 140g self-raising flour
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 2 lemons, zested
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
– For the drizzle
– 85g caster sugar
– Juice of 1 1/2 lemons
Method
– Preheat your oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
– Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
– Add the eggs, one by one, and then stir in the baking powder, flour, and lemon zest.
– Mix together the lemon juice, sugar, and pour over the cake when it’s out of the oven.
– Leave to cool and slice when serving.
2. Fruit Tartlets
Ingredients
– 1 shortcrust pastry sheet
– 1 cup of mixed fruits of your choice
– 1/3 cup of apricot glaze
Method
– Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.
– Use a cookie cutter to make 12 discs from the pastry sheet and place them in a muffin tin.
– Cook for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
– Cool the tarts and fill them with the mixed fruits.
– Brush the apricot glaze over the fruits and serve.
Conclusion
A traditional afternoon tea is a perfect way to spoil your dad on Father’s Day. With savory bites, scones, and sweets, you can craft a menu that will cater to your dad’s taste buds. You can try out some of our recipes or peruse a range of others to make his tea extra special. To heighten the experience, remember to set the right ambiance and decor, and to play some relaxing background music that your dad loves. With these tips, get ready to spoil Papa Bear with an unforgettable traditional afternoon tea.
