Someone's In The Kitchen With Amy

On August 27^th “Beyond Our Shore” held an event that was out of the ordinary from that which La Rabinessa has held in the past.  This time we were treated to an English Tea Party with all the trimmings.  Liora was dressed for the occasion as always and was looking lovely in her garden party dress.  She wore an aqua colored scallop-ruffled skirt, along with a multi-colored sweater of soft coordinating shades her mother-in-law made especially for this unusual skirt.  It was a wonderful combination and topped off with a wide-brimmed pink hat, festooned with fresh-cut flowers.  Liora’s earrings of pink roses were the finishing touch to this marvelous outfit. This lady knows how to get into the part!

The dining hall was decorated to fit right in with the atmosphere of an English Tea Party.  The banquet table held an assortment of cookies arranged on trays with pretty napkins interspersed among lovely, large bouquets of flowers.  The dining tables had unusual peacock placemats at each setting and a centerpiece with a huge bowl filled with an assortment of more gorgeous flowers.

Before the tea party actually began, we were treated to a movie of our most recent “Beyond Our Shore” event, which was a “trip” to the Greek Islands. We had such fun at that event, and it was just wonderful to relive that day by watching the movie and hearing that upbeat Greek music!

            Soon, tea was served . . . what handsome tea pots graced the tables; all different colors, shapes and designs resting on beautiful antique silver trays. What else would you have at an English Tea Party but . . . cucumber sandwiches?  These were so nicely decorated with a thin slice of bent cucumber held on with a toothpick.  Delicious and lovely.   Liora made these with lemon butter on whole wheat bread, rather than mayonnaise.  Very, very nice.  Then she served a variety of scones with several dishes of jellies and they were also excellent.  The recipes for the scones will follow.

LaRabinessa gave us a little talk about the history of tea.  From its origins in ancient China and its travels to England.  It seems that Queen Victoria was too hungry to wait for supper so once in late afternoon; she had her lady in waiting prepare petit-fours, and tea.  Her servant invited a few friends who, needless to say, dressed to the nines.  Thus afternoon tea was born.

 During our tea and sandwich time, Liora’s son Bar-Li joined our table for lunch. He is a very interesting young man.  I had the pleasure of being invited to his Bar Mitzvah not long ago, and was very taken by the extremely strong voice for such a young man. He is destined for great things one day.

While we were conversing during the lunch, he told us how the name of ‘sandwich’ came to be. It seems the Earl of Sandwich, while eating during a poker game apparently didn’t want to be interrupted, and told his man to put his meat between two slices of bread so he could hold it while continuing to play poker. Thereby, we have the sandwich. I believe I’ve heard that before, but it was very nice to hear the story from this young man.

The Melody Makers entertained us with a lovely assortment of 60’s rock and pop music, heavy on the Beatles theme.  This duet is an unusual combination of ukulele and a 6 string acoustic guitar.   This unique duo often performs in local restaurants.

La Rabinessa Liora promises us more exciting travels to far away and exotic places in the future. Stay tuned!!

Scones:

3 1/4 cups of flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tsp baking powder

4 TBS butter

2 tsp sugar

1 full cup of milk, plus extra for glazing

Different additions :

-candid lemon peel

-cranberries

-ginger

-dried cherries

-chocolate chips + cocoa powder

to serve with :

-different jams 

-lemon curd

-whipped cream (home made)

Set oven on high (aprox.425).

Mix flour, salt &baking powder.

Mix in the butter, crumbling with your fingers.

Add sugar, pour in the milk in the center & form into dough.

Lay dough on a baking dish layered with parchment paper & shape into 2 big circles. 

Mark each to 8 triangles.

Bake for about 12 minutes. (until golden and puffed)

Separate the triangles.

Enjoy in your English tea party.