I am planning a tea party for my mother 's birthday and am wondering what foods to put out. I've done alot of showers and parties, but never a tea party. The cake will be an italian creame cake. I was thinking of cheese straws, sausage balls, fresh fruit, spinach dip in a bread bowl, but I'm not sure what else will go with a tea party theme. Are there any foods that are "required" at a tea party?

Please help!!! What are your favorite party foods?

When we did a tea party, we did similar foods that you have listed. We also served chicken salad sandwiches on mini croissants. We also did a veggie tray. Your party sounds like fun!

My family heritage is Scottish, and a cream tea usually includes of course tea! and finger sandwiches (small sandwiches, crusts cut off, cut into small pieces-shapes or triangles) favorites watercress, tomato and cheese, chicken salad. Then there must be scones served with clotted cream and strawberries! Then a little plate of pastries, or a cake. I find the Scottish pastries yucky-sorry if I offended anyone=that's just MHO. They usually are rather heavy (traditional versions often use lard) and filled with nuts and raisins. I prefer Italian or French pastries. My friends always talk about a High Tea, thinking it is more elegant, but actually it is just more filling food, usually eggs and meat, sometimes kippers (smoked fish) with the scones,etc.

Okay-enough of the history lesson.

Your menu sounds delicious and my friends always enjoy vegetables with that dip. If you need something more substantial maybe some wraps-chicken caesar, turkey and brei with honey mustard or vegetable or how about a quiche regular size or made in individual servings?

Let us know what you decide-

oooh, little chicken salad sandwiches sound good! and scones (i believe i'd pass on the clotted cream though! )

if you want to do a fruit tray i have a tasty fruit dip recipe if you'd like it.

ok, now i want to have a tea party!

Cucumber sandwiches...I believe either Sandra Lee or Paula Deen has made it on the Food Network.

I'm English, and my MIL is posh enough to be the queen, so I speak from experience . For a proper tea party you must have:

Tea, hot, in a pot, and nice cups and saucers (NO MUGS)
Sugar cubes, and tongs
Little jug of milk
Dainty sandwiches, crusts cut off, white bread
Small cakes, pastries, shortbread etc
Savoury items could be something like sausage rolls or small cheese straws
(All items are finger food - nothing big that needs cutting, except the cake)
Small vase of flowers on the table, real napkins, proper china

FYI Dips are not really at all 'tea party-ish', but if you want one, go ahead.

Have fun!

oooohh, I love tea parties! I like to serve little cucumber sandwiches. They are quick, easy and mighty tasty!

Mimi

Clotted cream may sound gross, but it is actually very good - almost like whipped cream.

I was just about to add what mconery said. When I had my restaurant, we served a tea. In place of clotted cream (which I'm not even sure you can get in the US) we made a mock Devonshire cream. We used cream cheese softened with a little whipping cream and powdered sugar to make it just slightly sweet. It is great on scones with lemon curd or raspberry or strawberry jam.

Susan

I also simply love high tea but I'm not a huge fan of cucumber sandwiches. I completely agree with what TubbsCookies said please use proper linen napkins and silver tiered trays if you can. A hotel I go to regularly also serves handbag and shoes cookies and mini cupcakes as part of the experience. Have a great time!

Cucumber sandwiches, pineapple cream cheese nut sandwhices (I think I found that recipe on Cooks.com) , or Paula's pickled okra sandwiches are good choices too.

Mmmmmm clotted cream... so yummy! The only places I have seen clotted cream in the States are Whole Foods and Central Market.

I like to make Barefoot Contessa's Cranberry orange Scones, but I don't drizzle the icing on top, instead I serve mine with Orange Butter and get rave reviews. I make orange butter by adding orange zest and a little powdered sugar to softened butter. Very yummy!

A few things about tea I learned. ok I LOVE having a real tea but not a lot of people do this where I live.

-another good blueberry scone recipe is at http://www.americastestkitchen.com . I've made it before and its really good!

-you can make a great cream for scones by mixing sour cream, a little bit of gently whipped, whipping cream together. Serve in a cute pot or bowl with a nice jam on the side.

-Make some scottish eggs... Yum!! Can the Scots, English and maybe Australian can post a recipe? Pretty please?

Oh yeah, I forgot, you can also used slightly sweetened (or not) Creme Fraiche.

I make mock Devonshire cream by whipping heavy cream to stiff peak with a little sugar, then folding in an equal amount of sour cream (for example : 8 ounces to 8 ounces). Chill for 3-4 hours to allow it to thicken even further.

There's a really good magazine out now called "Tea Time" by Southern Lady which has decent recipes and theme ideas.

Leave the chips and dip off the menu

That's right, we mixed sour cream and cream cheese with a little powdered sugar for our mock devonshire cream. I remember it had that little tangy taste from the sour cream.

I love Tea Time magazine, BTW!!

Susan