Gerald Said:

What should I do when having a British Tea Party?

We Answered:

Serve dainty sandwiches cut into quaters with the crusts removed. Accompnay this by your choice of any of the following:

Scones with cream and jam served seperately
Tiny, delicate pastries
Madeira Cake
Fruit Cake
Or indeed any other really good cake of your choice.

Plus ofcourse an endless supply of good English tea with milk, sugar and lemon.

Dress is ofcourse optional, but smart casual would be the norm.

Elaine Said:

British Petroleum or Tea Party? Which is the more toxic brand in America right now?

We Answered:

tea party odviously, BP is harmless, they don't encourage congresswomen to be shot.

Tom Said:

I want to give a British tea party for my birthday..what do I serve??

We Answered:

Ahh, a British Tea Party! Well scones are definitely a good start; scones served with thick clotted cream and jam is very traditional.

Sticking with sweet things and cakes; nothing is more British than a Victoria sponge cake (a traditional Victoria sponge consists of jam and whipped cream sandwiched between two sponge cakes; the top of the cake is not iced or decorated). Other kinds of fruit cakes and pastries wouldn't be out of place either. Butter pastry Eccles cakes are a particular favourite of mine.

Sandwiches; well this is where you have to decided if you want to be true to 'English' customs. If sandwich varieties such as cucumber, egg & cress sandwiches, tuna, ham, and smoked salmon take your fancy then make away otherwise you can do as you wish!

You could also do a meat platter if you wish, or you could do some kind of Ploughmans lunch style platter serving cheese, bread, pickles, salad etc (although this is going away from a traditional tea party it still is a British tradition)

Oh and dont forget the tea!! Assam tea or English Breakfast tea should do the trick!

I hope that helps to some degree. Have fun, and I hope you have a good birthday.

Ronnie Said:

The reactions of British soldiers to the Boston Tea Party?

We Answered:

soldiers

Sally Said:

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

We Answered:

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: