Holiday Tea Party December 20, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Special Events, Vegetarian Recipes.Tags: Food, Holiday, Scones, Tea, Tea Party, Vegetarian Recipes
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On New Year’s Day, we’ve often invited friends or neighbors over for a tea party ~ relaxed entertaining at its best. It’s always been a delightful “pause” in the midst of holiday hustle and bustle.
We serve an assortment of easy to fix sweet and savory treats pulled together from staples in the kitchen ~ finger sandwiches, shortbread cookies, nuts, cake or brownie bites, chocolate, tea, and . . . fresh scones.
Here is my great aunt Edie’s recipe for Scottish Scones. Enjoy!
Scones
2 cups flour (can use 50/50 mix of whole wheat/all purpose)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsp. shortening or butter
milk to moisten (almost a cup)
Mix dry ingredients, cut in shortening with fork or fingers. Add milk slowly, mixing between adds, until dough is stiff but pliable.
Split into 4 pieces. Roll each into a ball, press out flat into circles, 1/4″ thick. Cut circles into 4 quarters.
Cook on greased griddle over low heat, turning frequently, until lightly browned and cooked through.
Or bake at 425 degrees on pizza stone or baking sheet for 10-15 minutes.
Serve with butter, jam, orange marmalade, honey or lemon curd.
Aah . . . that’s better!
I just loosened my waist band, Nancy……
It’s a SWEET version of Tapas . . . allowing lots of luscious nibbles (while scarfing down scones). Definitely not the right menu for anyone who’s sworn off carbs for the New Year.
Sounds delightful.
Scones are also FUN to eat on Christmas morning . . . after the stockings, before the tree.
Following that recipe is too much work. I’m driving to Florida instead. Save me a scone!*
*I’m 1/8 Scottish. Not enough for a kilt but definitely scone-worthy.
Ach, mon, that wee bit of Scottish warrants a scone or 2 . . . dozen! Tis the Season to eat scones . . . fa la la la la, pass the marmalade.
When I hear the word “marmalade” I think first of Paddington Bear and second of Patti LaBelle. Then of duck sauce, which is the same color.
That’s a microcosm of how my brain works. Or doesn’t, if you want to view it that way.
Love “Lady Marmalade” . . .
Ah, the scone. Of course, nothing tastes quite so excellent on a scone as jam and clotted cream…your New Years day celebrations sound wonderful, Nancy
Alas! Clotted cream is not found easily on this side of the pond. In a pinch, I expect that fresh whipped cream and jam would suffice.
yummm….looks easy….any cautions, other than eating too many?
I like them best when cooked on the griddle . . . and the key there is to cook them low and slow, turning often so they brown lightly and cook evenly.
When you think they’re done, pull one off and cut in half. If it’s gooey in the middle, put both halves back on the griddle.
the griddle is best…hmmm….good thing I asked. We seem to be out of baking soda…gotta go to the store and get some.
I probably like the griddle best because that’s how my great aunt made them.
Oh so Scottish!
And oh so delicious!
I ain’t Scottish but when it comes to scones i’ll change my nationality anytime. WonderBar.
They are delicious . . . hot off the griddle, or later at room temperature.
Sounds so delicious Nancy and gives me ideas when company stops by.
Our neighbors loved it . . . and it’s so easy. Tasty treats on pretty plates with a bottomless pot of tea.
Love this laid back, yet elegant, holiday entertaining idea, Nancy! And the scone recipe…looks easy enough to have a child help…PERFECT!
Have a beautiful Christmas…and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Definitely easy enough for a child to help . . . they can measure, mix, roll, and pat the dough. Probably an adult needs to decide when to STOP adding the milk.
What a lovely idea for a new years party. Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to try it. In the morning. If the world doesn’t end. And if it ends how will I know its ended? Will I get a text message?
It is a glorious day here in the Sunshine State ~ the birds are hanging out by the lagoon and appear carefree. If the world is about to end, they didn’t get the memo . . . or text.
Enjoy the scones, Rosie. They are wonderful for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
Nancy if you knew how much I love scones! I had never had scones until I went to a tea room about 7 years ago and they became a favorite. Sounds like a fun thing to do for New Year’s!
Maybe this year, we’ll do tea and scones when you and CH make it back to Florida. Hope the wind has died down. In the meantime, stay warm by the fire.
[...] Nancy at Spirit Lights The Way has posted A Not-So-Commercial Commercial on her blog today. It’s a wonderful world! Nancy has also posted, in the comments, a link to her fabulous scone recipe in her post Holiday Tea Party. [...]
Swing round and visit Tom’s End of the World Winter Solstice 12/21 Party. Everyone who’s anyone is there.
Don’t be late! Unless, of course, you bring the White Rabbit and his timepiece with you.
My aunt makes the best scones in the world
If my great aunt was still alive . . . I might have to challenge that remark.
My friend recently had a birthday party for her daughter and the theme was the mad hatter’s tea party. The kids loved it and I can see why grown-ups would too. I have to try out that scone recipe during the holidays.
When my nieces and nephews were younger, we often had tea parties . . . with real food on dainty plates. Pinkies extended, please!
Hope you enjoy the scones. They’re a bit like pancakes, but denser, less fluffy, more substantial.
Sounds lovely! I love scones. This seems like a wonderful recipe! Nice way to usher in the new year, Nancy!
Yesterday afternoon, we invited a neighbor over for Streusal Cake and Coffee. Very relaxing. And delicious.
what a lovely idea.
and fresh scones sound wonderful! thanks for sharing.
Many moons ago, we used to host Holiday Open Houses for 100+ guests each year. Very festive and FUN for all . . . but BFF and I didn’t have a chance to mingle in any meaningful way. We were too busy taking coats, retrieving coats, checking the food, fixing drinks, pointing to the loo, etc., to really chat with our guests. So we stopped hosting such huge gatherings.
Now, we’re more inclined to invite 1-3 couples (or a family) around to hang out for a few hours . . . we put out a few nibbles, fix a few drinks, play some music, chat, laugh, and CONNECT.
No, I don’t think these will pass the test for proper Scottish scones, which is the ability to fell a stag at fifty paces with one throw across the heather.
Och, mon! It’s gist a wee little hockey puck to practice curling. There it goes . . . skating away on the thin ice of the new day.
Aye, and if ye pack eno’ o’ the wee laddies together tae form a tube, ye hae a caber f’r the tossing!
Aye! A caber toss from tubed scones!
*brilliant thought* An’ the bonnie Stone of Scone was made oot of them, d’ye ken?
Aye . . . we’ve elevated the stature of scones from the breakfast table to the Highland Games!
Time for tea!