what can I make besides scones for a British tea party?????

Answer 1

As mentioned before a tea party is somewhat of an anachronism in the UK, but I was very much a child of the Colonies and we had it all the time with servants, etc-
Perhaps people might be a little surprised it is still very common and incredibly popular in South East Asia, India and Africa.
Afternoon tea is so popular is some hotels that you have to reserve seats a week in advance.
And in India- very much a way of weeding out the money from the also rans. But everywhere- very much a upper-middle class and upwards social event- wherever I've been.

As mentioned earlier, tea-parties were to judge a bachelor's breeding and marriage worthiness- now a social event.

Basically you need your tea and tea-set as well as any variety of 'finger' foods- but I prefer small forks as I hate getting grubby fingers.

I personally have a preference for miniature sandwiches, baguettes, buns & cakes- but you can make anything- the general rule being that most people should like it,. it shouldn't be too messy, spicy or much of an acquired taste.

Where I've travelled I've also been served: In India had Tikka, Indonesia- sate and lumpia, and Africa fried goats cheese (YUM!), Turkish-delight thing-a-mes in Oman. The coffee and eta there is amazing.
That's the beauty of Tea- combining the Old Time elegance & sophistication of tea with the native fine food.

The very best site for British recipes:
http://www.greatbritishkitchen.co.uk/
Basically- as long as it is still palatable when warmish, easy to handle and will fit on a small plate without making too much mess- should be fine. And of course- it should NOT taste awful with the tea.

The following should be helpful:

Answer 2

It is characterised by use of the best tea service for presenting tea (and often coffee as well), accompanied by thin cucumber sandwiches, sliced cake, little cakes and biscuits (cookies) served on the best china.

In warm climates and our depressingly short summer, cool drinks may be offered as well; in winter, hot pastries may be added to the menu.

The tea party is somewhat passé today, most folks are far more relaxed, and go for a mug of tea. However, on formal occasions Afternoon Tea is served here in the west, with scones, jam and clotted cream.

It was a social trap for courting Yuppies in Victorian society, they would be asked to make the tea, if they poured milk into the cup first, they were from a poor background who could not afford bone china, which did not crack with the heat of the hot tea. If they poured the tea first they were from an old money family.

Then they moved to the food, if they made a lot of mess, they were not mannered, but if they made a little mess it was OK, as long as they excused themselves, but they did not clean it up, for that meant that they had no servants.

Answer 3

Small sandwiches with different fillings but possible stay away from cucumber because nobody actually eats cucumber sandwiches. Bread and butter was always served at teatime in England but perhaps that's not interesting enough in which case you could have honey or jam sandwiches as well as savoury fillings.
Any number of different cakes, Victoria sponge, fruit cake etc
Biscuits perhaps shortbread, cookies etc
Gingerbread
and with the scones it's always good to have Devonshire clotted cream because that's the best.

Answer 4

Open sandwiches, a sponge cake, loads of hot buttered toast or muffins. Pikelets are good because all the butter goes in the holes and then runs down your chin when you bite into them. A good selection of jams and honey are a winner. Add your wonderful hot scones, thick whipped cream and pots of both Earl Grey and Ceylon tea. It is a very English tradition and a wonderful way to fill up before dinner.

Answer 5

You start with a selection of very thin sandwiches, like thinly sliced cucumber, smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise and mustered cress sandwiches. This is followed by scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream and a selection of cakes. Tea with cream or lemon is served with this.

Go to the Ritz website for inspiration!

Answer 6

pinwheel sandwiches
(rolled sandwiches)
1 lb. sandwich spread (ham or tuna)
you can also use chicken salad, egg salad
or cream cheese flavored with marachino cherry juice.
1 loaf white bread, cut lengthwise not in slices)

Cut crusts off bread. Lay flat. Spread with sandwich spread. Roll.
(if you lay a sweet gherkin pickle aacross the end where you begin to roll, the sandwiches will have a nice center)
Wrap in Cling Wrap and freeze for 24 hours. Cut rolled sandwiches in slices. Once sandwiches are cut, refrigerate until use. Sandwiches will thaw within 1 hour.

Answer 7

Victoria sponge cake - Its a classic
Cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off
Earl grey Tea
'Proper' devonshire clotted cream and jam for yor scones
crumpets and macarroons

Answer 8

cucumber sandwiches with sugar sprinked inside- very thin white bread, ginger biscuits, tea, victoria sponge cake, marmite sandwiches, jam tarts,

Answer 9

Cucumber sandwiches - white bread, crusts cut off.

A sponge cake of some description, or fairy cakes, or butterfly cakes.

Answer 10

"teacakes, little triangle sandwiches with different fillings, apple cruble (with custard), sponge cake, toast (with jam and butter or marmelade if so wished), pancakes, cheesy bacon bites, cookies, shortcake, carrotcake, shortbread and meringue cookies" - thats all i can think of now!!! Hope you have loadsa fun, and dont forget the etiquette rules (hahah)!!!