Mother's Day - Afternoon Tea

A great way to celebrate Mother's Day is to grab your mom and a bunch of family members and friends and enjoy an afternoon tea party!  

For the decor: 

Gather floral and dainty cups, saucers, and small plates to serve your tea and light food. Miss-matching your tea ware can add an elegant shabby chic look, so there is no need to worry about going out and purchasing a new tea set. Play around with what you have! 

Tea:

Green tea and soothing chamomile make wonderful afternoon teas!  

Food:

Cucumber-turkey mini sandwiches - makes 12 (pictured above)

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 slices extra-thin sandwich bread
3 thin slices roast turkey
1 cucumber, thinly sliced

1. In a small bowl, whisk together cream cheese and 1 tablespoon water. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

2. Spread one side of each slice of bread with cream cheese mixture. Place one slice of turkey on each of 3 pieces of bread; cover with another slice of bread to form a sandwich. Place 4 to 6 slices of cucumber on each of 3 pieces of bread; cover with another slice of bread to form a sandwich. Trim crusts from sandwiches, and slice sandwiches in half. Alternatively, use a a cookie cutter to shape sandwiches.

Cream Scones - Makes 8 to 10

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface, hands, and cutter

3 tablespoons sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Strawberry preserves, for serving
Softly whipped cream, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until largest pieces are the size of small peas.

3. Using a fork, whisk together the cream and eggs in a large glass measuring cup. Make a well in the center of flour mixture, and pour in cream mixture. Stir lightly with fork just until the dough comes together (do not overmix).

4. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With floured hands, gently pat dough into a 4 1/2-by-8 1/2-inch rectangle, about 3/4-inch thick. Using a floured 2-inch round cutter, cut out 8 to 10 rounds, and transfer them to lined baking sheet. Brush tops with cream, and sprinkle with sugar. Bake scones until golden brown, 16 to 20 minutes. Transfer scones to wire racks, and let cool. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with strawberry preserves and whipped cream.

Most importantly, sit back, relax, and enjoy Mother's Day with all of the special people in your life!