How To Host Tea & Crumpets for the Royal Wedding

On Friday, April 29, millions of people will be glued to their TV's to witness the marraige of Prince William to the elegant Kate Middleton at Westminister Abby. The wedding will be followed by a posh reception with 600 of their closest friends.

If you don't find yourself on the guest list, why not turn your Hopkinton home into Buckingham Palace and  host a Tea and Crumpet party?  The idea was presented to me by an ingenious mom-friend and neighbor, Lisa MacDonald.

Grab your tiaras, a few BFF's, and rev up your pinky fingers for an afternoon of sipping tea and royal watching! Crumpets (or your own version of crumpets ... toasted English muffins) are a perfect accompaniment along with a variety of English teas.

A crumpet is a savoury bread made from flour and yeast. It is eaten mainly in the United Kingdon and other nations of the Commonwealth. A crumpet in this area is similar in appearance to a North American pancake. 

The history of the crumpet began in early times. They were hard pancakes cooked on a griddle, rather than the soft and spongy crumpets of the Victorian era which were made with yeast.

The crumpet-makers of the Midlands and London developed the characteristic holes by adding extra baking powder to the yeast dough. The term itself may refer to a crumpled or curled-up cake. There is also a theory of Celtic origin relating to the Breton krampoez meaning a "thin, flat cake." (Wikipedia)

Tea and Crumpet party setup

* Dust cobwebs from your tea set and polish. If you don't have a tea service, borrow one from a neighbor or BFF.

* Time to break out the fine china. You only need small serving plates, coffee or tea cups and saucers. Hint: Tea cups don't have to match.

* Cover table with a lacy, flowery, English-type tablecloth. Inexpensive, colorful napkins can be purchased at the Christmas Tree  Shop or Home Goods.

* Creative centerpiece ideas: an English hat filled with plants; a picture of Kate and William; a fresh spray of wild-flowers; or Royal Jewels - fake diamonds and rubies.

* Purchase 4 to 6 different types of English tea packets and place in a decorative bowl or wooden tea box.

* Provide a variety of tea condiments such as honey, sugar cubes, sweeteners, milk and cream. Place them in a glass bowl next to tea-service.

* Just before guests arrive, heat water and place into teapot.

* Place crumpets or muffins on decorative plates next to tea service.

* Provide 3 to 4 different types of jellies or jams for guests to sweeten crumpets or muffins, i.e: strawberry, rasberry, blueberry jam, sweetened butter or margarine. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Many British people spread their crumpets with vegemite, a yeast paste sold in the the U.S. as Marmite. The company's slogan is "Love it or hate it" which tells you what you need to know about its unfamiliar taste.)

* If feeling energetic, you may wish to purchase tiaras for everyone to wear. Iparty or Walmart sell tiaras.

Crumpet Recipe

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water ( 105-115 degrees)

1 teaspoon sugar

1/3 cup warm milk ( 105-115 degrees)

4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted, divided

1-egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

In mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.

Add sugar, let stand for 5 minutes.

Add the milk, 1-tablespoon butter and egg, mix well.

Add flour and salt, beat until smooth.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Brush griddle and three-inch metal rings or open-topped metal cookie cutters with remaining butter. Place rings on griddle, heat on low. Pour 3 tablespoons of batter into each ring.

Cook for 7 minutes or until bubbles begin to pop and the top appears dry.

Remove rings. Turn crumpets. Cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until the second side is golden brown.

Serve warm or let cool on wire rack and toast before serving.

Hint: Three-inch metal rings can be purchased at Christmas Tree Shop or a department store. 

Second hint: If this recipe is too time-consuming, make your favorite muffins and pretend they're crumpets!

Recipe: www.allrecipes.com

Enjoy!