Tea Party Pleasures

We were excited to welcome Kim Hendrickson, author of the Tastefully Small series of cookbooks that include Savory Bites, Finger Sandwiches, and Dessert Canapes to the tea room.  She joined us on a chilly spring day for afternoon tea after which she presented an informative program where she shared ideas for creating dramatic finger sandwiches.

The tea party began with Citrus Crackers, a recipe from Tastefully Small Savory Bites cookbook, served with a cream cheese rose nestled atop hot pepper jelly.

The sandwich course featured recipes selected from the Tastefully Small Finger Sandwiches book, included Cucumber Apricot Flowers, Curry Cashew Bites, Hummus Stacks, Tomato Eyed Pyramid, and herbed Cheese Gift Basket. Kim encourages you to select sandwiches with more definite flavors, to 'twist is up, some'.  She suggests you give your finger sandwiches some style, and 'knock 'em up a notch'.  With artisan breads now available in most grocery stores, the medium of bread flavors, colors, and textures is endless, so mix it up!  Create an inlaid effect such as the flower sandwich shown above.  And use brightly colored fillings, and don't forget to decorate the edges of your sandwiches using parsley, poppy seed, nuts, even coconut.

Nancy's scones are always a 'must serve' at any tea room event, and today she featured Traditional English Cream Scones alongside a slice of Coconut Tea Bread.  Toppings included sweet cream, raspberry preserves, and pecan honey butter. A fresh fruit garnish of sliced oranges and Coeur a la Creme Strawberries, one of Ms. Hendrickson's recipes in the Dessert Canapes book, completed the plate.





And dessert included Lemon Coconut Nests, Chocolate Malt Tulips, Rugelach, and Toffee Nut Bites, all featured in the Dessert Canapes cookbook.


For more information about Kim and her delightful series of cookbooks that feature easy party sandwiches for all occasions, please visit her website here.