TeaTime Tea Holidays 2017

is a marvelous way to celebrate the season. If you’re planning on hosting family or friends, this collection of recipes for delicious teatime treats and of ideas for festive tablescapes will provide plenty of inspiration. Delightful menus for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, along with expert recommendations on which teas to pair with each course, make it easy to decide what to serve. Our Tea-Steeping Guide on page 8 reminds you that not all tea is prepared in the same way, and it lists six steps for making a great pot of the beverage. If you’re concerned about entertaining guests who have gluten sensitivities, turn to page 109 where you’ll find a wonderful array of easy-to-bake glutenfree scones. And be sure to peruse our helpful Recipe Index on page…

WATER Always use the best water possible. If the water tastes good, so will your tea. If that is not the case, then bottled spring water is a nice alternative. Heat the water on the stove top or in an electric kettle to the desired temperature. A microwave oven is not recommended. TEMPERATURE Heating the water to the correct temperature is arguably one of the most important factors in making a great pot of tea. Pouring boiling water on green, white, and oolong tea leaves can result in a very unpleasant brew. In general, use 170°- to -195° water for these delicate tea types, and always refer to the tea purveyor’s packaging for specific instructions. Reserve boiling (212°) water for black and pu-erh teas, as well as herbal and fruit tisanes. TEAPOT If the teapot…

menu SCONE Sweet Potato Scones with Cinnamon Whipped Cream Satsuma Black Tea SAVORIES Turkey-Lingonberry Puffs Smoked Trout Tea Sandwiches Ginger-Orange Wild Rice Salad in Phyllo Cups Mountain Dragon Green Tea SWEETS Chocolate-Pecan Tassies Pear-Filled Spiced Shortbread Sandwich Cookies Salted Caramel Pound Cake Pumpkin Spice Black Tea Tea Pairings by Carriage House Teacarriagehousetea.com Sweet Potato Scones Yield: 15 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon turmeric* 4 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into pieces 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold heavy whipping cream, divided 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a gentle boil. Cook until sweet potatoes are tender when…

menu SCONE Bacon-Spelt Scones with Maple Butter Plum Pear Black Tea SAVORIES Smoked Salmon, Corn, and Sun-Dried Tomato Tea Sandwiches Turkey-Pear Tea Sandwiches Broccoli-Kale Slaw Phyllo Cups Tippy Assam Black Tea SWEETS Ginger Cakes with Rosy Apple Compote Chocolate-Cranberry Oat Bars Coconut-Pecan Tartlets White Tip Oolong Bai Hao Tea Tea Pairings by Global Tea Mart 844-208-2337 | globalteamart.com Bacon-Spelt Scones Yield: 10 2 cups spelt flour* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup frozen unsalted butter,coarsely grated 1/3 cup chopped, crisp cooked bacon ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream ¼ cup whole milk plus 1 tablespoon, divided • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper, whisking well. Add butter and bacon to flour mixture, stirring well. • In a small bowl, combine cream…

menu SCONE Zucchini-Walnut Scones with Brown Sugar Cream Organic Dragonwell Lung Ching Green Tea SAVORIES Roasted Vegetable Tarts Dilled Salmon Salad Sandwiches Poached Pears with Braised Cabbage Slaw Organic Assam Reserve Black Tea SWEETS Chocolate Chip Crescent Cookies Pine Nut Tartlets Rosemary-Orange Cake Organic Blueberry White Tea Tea Pairings by Capital Teas 888-484-8327 | capitalteas.com Zucchini-Walnut Scones Yield: 18 2½ cups whole-wheat flour 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1 cup coarsely grated zucchini, squeezed dry 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts 1/3 cup dried currants 3/4 cup cold heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup whole milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl combine flours, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, allspice, and nutmeg, whisking well. Using…

menu SCONE Mother Ginger Scones Nutcracker Tea SAVORIES Mouse King Cheese Truffles Crab Salad Phyllo Cups Nutcracker Palmiers Ceylon Lovers Leap Estate Black Tea SWEETS Snowflake Cake Bites Mini Sugarplum Cheesecakes Citrus-Topped Ginger Cream Tart Sugar Plum Fairy Rooibos Herbal Tisane Tea Pairings by Simpson & Vail 800-282-8327 | svtea.com “This is all like a dream come true.” —CLARA IN THE NUTCRACKER Mother Ginger Scones Yield: 14 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons chopped candied ginger 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest 2 teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons ground ginger ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cardamom 4 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into pieces ½ cup dark chocolate morsels ½ cup chopped roasted, salted pistachios 1/3 cup chopped dried cherries 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream, divided ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: turbinado sugar • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, combine flour,…