Apricot and Cheese Tea Sandwich

Author: Tea-business-guide.com
Original Source: April Tea Party

Recipe:

½ cup butter, room temperature
2 stalks celery
1 T honey
1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
½ cup walnuts
20 slices white bread
10 dried apricots
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 cups crumbled Stilton cheese or blue cheese
1 cup chopped parsley

In a food processor, chop walnuts, apricots, celery, and thyme. Add butter, honey, vinegar, blue cheese, and pepper. Process until mixture holds together. If more moisture is needed, a little heavy cream may be added until desired consistency is achieved.

Place mixture in a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use. Cut out small rounds from the bread with a 2-inch cookie cutter. Spread each round with the apricot mixture and top with another bread round. Using a small knife, spread a thin layer of mayo around the edge of each sandwich. Then coat the mayonnaise-covered edge with chopped parsley. Place on a holding tray, cover, and refrigerate until time to serve. Makes 20 sandwiches.

Easter Tea Party

Author: Janienne Jennrich
Original Source: Plan a Springtime Easter Tea Party

Easter is the perfect holiday for a charming pastel or floral English afternoon tea party. Here are tips for lovely decorations, delicious recipes and treats, and more.

Most everyone loves Spring. It is a time for renewal and the perfect time to invite dear friends over for a charming gathering, just for fun. Easter time lends itself to many themes, be they eggs and baskets, religious ideas, or the joy and colors of spring.

Planning an Spring Easter Tea Party

• Invitations may be purchased at a party store or online. Scrapbooking supply and craft shops will have plenty of ideas should homemade invitations be desired.
• Be sure to let guests know the date of the tea well ahead of time, so they can leave the date free.
• Attire may be specified on the invitations. Should guests wear spring dresses and Easter hats, more casual clothes or something else?
• Pick out music to play. Find nice clasical music or burn a CD of favorite Easter or spring themed songs. A pretty background music album is the soundtrack to the movie Somewhere in Time.
• The hostess should plan the menu and any activities well in advance so as to be free to relax and enjoy the party day. Look for make-ahead recipes or find a reliable caterer.
• The hostess should shop for or hunt around the house for china, tea cups, serving items, etc. There are many beautiful seasonal Easter and spring party good in the stores far before the holiday. If it is in the budget, it can be fun to buy some special Easter decorations for the front yard for friends to enjoy as they arrive.