I love tea parties. But, I don’t like to cook and I REALLY don’t like to bake. AND I’m a food snob (from California, love Alice Waters, you get the drill). If you read my article, “A Tea Party’s Most Important Ingredient” you’ll learn the answer is the tea. HOWEVER, the food’s role at the tea party is also crucial and as someone who doesn’t like to bake and is picky about what she puts in her (and others!) mouth, this can create quite a dilemma.
Now, my longterm goal is to be able to afford caterers. But until then, I turn to you, my faithful readers. What are your favorite quality convenience foods that could be used at a tea party? I need to hear from those of you who don’t have a Whole Foods Bakery in your neighborhood. 😉
When I say quality, I mean that Mother’s Cookies just don’t cut it – even for the wee ones. Ideally there would be no trans-fat or corn syrup in the ingredients. At it needs to taste at least close to homemade. (Anyone else suffer from a sensitivity to chemical after-taste?).
My plan is to include your answers in a list article that will stay permanently up here at Tea Party Girl for future reference. It will include your blog or website address for a permanent link of exposure for you as well. Here’s an example:
1. Tea Party Girl recommends local and seasonal fresh fruit.
Now, I realize I’m putting this out here the eve of many of you visiting Hot-lanta for the World Tea Expo. And I’m probably over-confident as I’ve experienced many new visitors lately (yea!). But what the heck, let’s try this anway.
What are YOUR favorite quality convenience foods that could be used for a tea party?
You have an awesome blog…swing by my place…I would love to link you if that is ok…
Thanks, Harmonia~Of course its okay to link to Tea Party Girl! I will come by for a visit, thanks for the invite.
Do you have a favorite quality convenience food?
I love to cook and bake, so normally, food isn’t a problem for me at tea parties (or any other party). I’m a “food snob” as much as a tea snob…I’m picky about what I serve too. It only takes 20 minutes to whip up a batch of scones or two, and when all else fails, I make a cheesecake, which is something very few people find fault with.
But I did serve frozen cream puffs from Costco as one of the sweets at my last tea party, and they were very delicious – everyone loved them. So I can recommend those as a “convenience food” worthy of a tea party…though I’m sure they aren’t the healthiest treat in the world.
Another favorite of mine are piroette cookies (the long, thin straw-like cookies filled with chocolate and hazelnut fillings, found in the grocery store). Yummy, simple, and they look nice on the table.
Jamie, let’s post your scone recipe sometime. Thanks for the recommendations!
hi jenny!
it’s too bad i bake most of my stuff (n from scratch too!) or i would have a ton of ideas for u.. call me crazy but it’s therapeutical.. so here goes: if u’re throwing a japanese tea party, mochi is always a treat.. made with glutinous rice and usually filled with some kind of paste (red bean’s yummy), this chewy snack is a must-try.. if u’re throwing an english tea party, cucumber sandwiches r refreshing and surprisingly good.. just slather a thin layer of salted butter on white bread, n layer with thin slices of cucumbers.. no crusts though! gotta keep everything as hoity toity brit as possible :).. turkish tea party: turkish tea and baklava.. this dessert could be a lil sweet n sometimes contain corn syrup, but there’s a lotta good ol’ nuts.. so it’s still healthy to a certain extent..
i don’t know how i ended up with these themes.. ur blog must’ve inspired me.. enjoy!
Mmmm…I love baklava and mochi is a great Trader Joe’s buy.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your ideas!