Afternoon Tea

[Barmaid]

It is Ma BM's birthday on Sunday. I am far too busy work wise to do a full Sunday lunch (and if they come for Sunday lunch, they won't go til 7ish!). So I was thinking of doing "Afternoon tea".

What would make up your perfect afternoon tea?

I was thinking sandwiches - but what type?
Then perhaps scones
then victoria sandwich cake

Any variations on a theme you can suggest?

[atalanta]

Smoked salmon sandwiches - don't forget the cucumber slices
Scones
Chocolate cake

[vodkancoke]

I did an Afternoon Tea for my friend's baby shower. This was my menu:

Egg and cress finger sandwiches
Rare roast beef and horseradish cream finger sandwiches
Chicken and tarragon sandwiches
Roasted red pepper and goats cheese sandwiches
Prawn cocktail sandwiches

Mini fruit tartlets
Mini Victoria sponges
Mini lemon drizzle loaf
Mini meringues
Mini fruit scones with little pots of clotted cream and jam
Lavender shortbread

:)

[MadMen]

Ooh, I love doing this for family birthdays :-)

When I did one for Mother, I had a look on the Ritz website for some ideas as to what sandwiches to do.

http://www.theritzlondon.com/tea/menus-en.html

I also made some cupcakes, and got some pink fizz in.
It basically is just sandwiches, scones and cakes. Lush! If you start adding more food, then it becomes more of a buffet.

Sounds lovely!

[society]

Would she like tacos? How about tacos instead of sandwiches?

[EcclesCake]

Sandwiches, cucumber with a touch of dill; smoked salmon and cream cheese; egg and cress with chives. All served on different breads, crusts removed and cut into fingers. Totally classic afternoon tea offerings.

As well as scones and a Victoria Sponge I would seek out the local patisserie for some really fancy pastry work.

[carolegif]

Sandwiches, followed by cake. That used to be Sunday tea. In winter sometimes we had toasted tea cakes instead.

[Buenchico]

I posted this link yesterday (for someone seeking afternoon tea in Manchester). It shows how Harvey Nichols think afternoon tea should be done:
http://c726.r26.cf2.rackcdn.com/AFTERNOON_TEA_single_21%2006.pdf

I'd rather have a traditional cream tea (with fruited scones, jam and oodles of clotted cream) together with some nice sandwiches (e.g. cottage cheese and celery).

[DTCwordfan]

cucumber, salmon, bayonne, cream cheese, sandwiches, edges cut off, or crumpets and home-made jam.

or crumpets with scrambled eggs and chives.

proper scones with Cornish clotted cream (not that Devon rubbish) and jam, put on the right way.

bakewell sandwich cake........

[EcclesCake]

What about macaroons?

Mmm, VnCs suggestion for bit sized fruit tarts is a lovely idea (not that the rest of her suggestions were rubbish ;-) )

[Barmaid]

Mmmmmmm, some lovely ideas here, thank you.

That gives me something to work on. Mum thinks she is getting a cup of tea and a slice of cake!

[mikey4444]

When I was very young, back in the early 60's, my grandmother used to take me to tea at the Ritz. I had to be on my absolute best behavior, as anything less would have completely unacceptable !

Its important that the sandwiches are cut into dainty little triangles, not bloody great slabs ! Afternoon Tea is a small meal, not meant to fill you up. Its purpose is to tide you over before the more formal dinner later in the evening. Small cakes, liked Iced Fancys are the norm, together with lots of tea in proper cups, and a proper tea pot ! If there are doilies involved, well all the better.

Of course standards have slipped terribly these days. You can probably have a "burger" and a coke in the Ritz now.