Tea and Crumpets
The most famous traditional dessert to serve with tea is Crumpets. When you top those delicious Crumpets with the oh so elegant Devonshire Cream, your taste buds will thank you! To make these delicious Crumpets, search the Internet or your local gourmet shop for Crumpet rings. They are not expensive and will make your Crumpets real treat.
Crumpets Recipe
1/2 cup warm water (105 - 115 degrees)
2 teaspoons sugar or honey
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups milk
In a large bowl, stir the sugar or honey into the warm water.
Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and let it sit until it bubbles, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Cover and let it sit for about half an hour in a warm place.
Grease a griddle or frying pan and the crumpet rings or cookie cutters.
Place the rings on the cooking surface and preheat all.
Pour about 3 tablespoons of batter into each 3″ ring and cook over medium low heat until set, about 10 minutes. (Avoid cooking them too quickly.)
The top should be full of holes when they are ready to turn.
Remove the crumpets from the rings, turn, and brown the other side, if desired, for a minute or so.
Repeat until all the batter is used. Serve warm with butter and jam or clotted cream and jam.
Makes 16 crumpets.
Devonshire Clotted Cream
True Devonshire Cream is a very thick, rich cream actually very similar to butter. It is unsweetened, so it pairs very well on a crumpet.
1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
OR
1cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup mascarpone or 1/4 cup softened cream cheese
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The directions are the same for both cream recipes: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and beat with a mixer until stiff.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
Best when prepared and served the same day.
Makes 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups.
Hello Everyone!!! This is our 3rd “Tea Party-Theme-Party”.
We hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day with your families.
March has 2 wonderful celebrations. One is the Easter Celebration and the other is St. Patrick’s Day.
We would like to throw a “St.Patrick’s Day” Theme Party with a little twist:
I adore my family, but, I have wonderful gal-pals that are treasures in my life.
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“Girlfriend, I’m so “lucky” to have you in my life Tea Party”.
So, let’s begin with lots of green. Once again, you should have available lots of St. Patrick’s Day decorations.Store bought or homemade.
Just make it your own.
Each place setting must have this little “friendship-bag”:
1 rubber band - to remind you to give a tight hugs to those you love.
2. A piece of candy to spread sweetness wherever you are.
3. A tissue to help dry a tear.
4. A bandaid to heal hurt feelings.
5. A copper penny to remind you to share God’s love.
6. A daily prayer to never forget to pray.
A small cloth drawstring (green, if possible)should hold all your “charms”. You could type/print out the above items with a sweet “to my friend” card. Just paper punch a hole,and thread it through a lovely green ribbon.
Make your menu your own. There are many traditional Irish desserts; stretch your imagination. You can choose to do the treats all yourself or have a Pot-luck with your girlfriends to see who can bring the “greenest treat”!!!
Have fun and take time to appreciate your “angel-girlfriends!!
See you next month!!!