Delightful afternoon treats for when you’re feeling a fancy kind of peckish.
When it comes to hosting a traditional afternoon tea, the sandwiches are one of the most important components. They should be delicate, flavourful, and elegant, making them the perfect accompaniment to a pot of freshly brewed tea. Whether you cut them into small triangles or even smaller rectangles, here are some classic and delicious sandwich fillings that are sure to elevate your afternoon tea experience:
1. Cucumber with salt: Thinly sliced cucumber with a sparing sprinkle of sea salt paired with real butter is a timeless combination.
2. Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese: The richness of smoked salmon paired with creamy cream cheese and a hint of lemon juice creates a luxurious and indulgent sandwich filling. For added flavour, you can sprinkle some fresh dill or chives on top.
3. Egg Salad: A simple yet satisfying option, egg salad sandwiches are a classic choice for afternoon tea. Hard boiled eggs finely chopped and mixed with mayonnaise, include the smallest hint of mustard and fresh herbs for extra flavour.
4. Coronation Chicken: Shredded chicken mixed with mayonnaise, curry powder and some mango chutney with a squeeze of lime juice makes for a refreshing sandwich filling. Add raisins if you’re a fan of a cheeky fruity hit.
5. Ham and Wholegrain Mustard: The saltiness of ham paired with the tanginess of wholegrain mustard is a match made in sandwich heaven.
No self-respecting afternoon tea would be without a delicious scone! Whether you pronounce it ‘skon’ or ‘sc-oh-ne’, put the jam on first or last, these are the perfect ones to try…
Fluffy Scones
Ingredients:
• 240g plain flour
• 65g granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 120g cold unsalted butter, in small cubes
• 150ml milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Add the cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also do this in a food blender.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it. Use a fork to gently mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and lightly knead it a few times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick.
7. Use a round cutter with sharp edges to cut out scones from the dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Don’t use a glass as this will make it harder for the scone to rise.
8. Brush with milk and bake the scones for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
9. Serve the scones warm with clotted or fresh cream, jam, and a pot of tea!
Image Credits: congerdesign via pixabay.com
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