How to Choose Food for a Tea Party

A tea party is the perfect occasion for delicate cakes and cookies, dainty sandwiches and an assortment of fragrant teas. Food for a tea party should be light but filling. Serve food on good china, or at the very least on fanciful paper plates. Arrange food for a tea party buffet style, so guests can help themselves and the hostess can enjoy visiting.

Instructions

Select Appetizers for a Tea Party

1. Serve chilled shrimp cocktail with spicy cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges.

2. Pair dainty vegetables, such as baby corn, asparagus tips and pea pods, with creamy ranch dressing or zesty dill dip.

3. Offer a selection of assorted cheeses, such as a fontina (hard), cheddar (semi-soft) and Brie (soft), with gourmet crackers.

Select the Main Dishes for a Tea Party

1. Trim the crusts off plain white bread and fill with assorted salads, such as ham, tuna, chicken and seafood. Cut each sandwich into quarters.

2. Serve a fresh fruit salad with kiwi, strawberries, pineapple and honeydew melon.

3. Wrap wedges of cantaloupe with thin slices of smoky prosciutto for a unique side dish.

4. Serve a light pasta salad, dressed with olive oil, black olives, chopped cucumbers and a splash of Italian dressing.

Select Delicious Desserts for a Tea Party

1. Serve an assortment of delicate cookies to dip into hot tea.

2. Order delicate petit fours (tiny cakes) from a local bakery. Bite-sized cakes always taste better.

3. Offer an assortment of miniature berry tarts, which are perfect for a summer tea party. Good choices include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry-rhubarb.

Select an Assortment of Beverages for a Tea Party

1. Purchase several varieties of tea at your local grocery store or specialty shop. Flavors can include chamomile, Earl Grey and classic orange pekoe.

2. Offer lemonade, iced tea (also known as sun tea) and flavored water along with hot tea.

3. Serve wine spritzers or mint juleps in place of hard liquor for alcoholic beverages.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing cheese, plan on 4 ounces (1/4 pound) per guest.

Resources

• The Birthday Party Ideas website has fun ideas for throwing tea parties and birthday parties.
• The Joy of Baking site has recipes for making delicious foods for an English tea party.
• The Adagio site offers a wide array of teas.