An Urban Tea on the Go

Sometimes, the portability of the party is paramount. A concert in the park or a trip to a nearby museum calls for a hamper packed with easy to transport delights. Opt for food items that can be eaten out of hand. Little wide-mouth Mason jars hold just enough for each serving of salad. Wrap sandwiches in waxed paper and tie with baker’s twine. Though you and your guests are on the go, with a bit of preplanning, a civilized tea can be produced from the trunk of the car. Now is the occasion to use those vintage plaid Thermoses and throws you have collected. Make sure to preheat your Thermos with very hot water before adding tea so the tea will be hot when you are ready to serve. Your tea party on the go can be a welcome oasis of homemade hospitality in an urban setting.

Menu

Beverages:
Thermoses of Assam Tea and Decaf Breakfast Tea
Lemon Sparkling Water

Savories:
Grilled Eggplant with Roasted Peppers and Caramelized Onion on Baguette
Chevre, Arugla, and Fig Jam on Raisin Nut Bread
Half Pint Mason Jar Salad: Cucumber, Artichoke Heart, and Grape Tomato with Herb Vinaigrette
Spiced Almonds

Sweets:
Chocolate Shortbread Petticoat Tails
Cherry-Berry Hand Pies
Lemon Tea Bread

Recipes Included:

Grilled Eggplant, Roasted Pepper and Caramelized Onion Sandwiches on Baguette
You will need to start making the filling for these unforgettable sandwiches the day before your Urban Tea on the Go, and we are hoping you will have time to rush out to a good bakery to buy a very fresh baguette before assembling the sandwiches the day of your Urban Tea. While you’re out shopping, go to your favorite deli and pick up some nice cold cuts and sliced cheeses. We suggest slices of pepperoni, salami and mortadella, and sliced provolone, Havarti and Swiss cheeses. The deli clerk will probably wrap the meats and cheeses separately, and you can pack the little butcher paper wrapped packages right into your picnic basket when you get home. Bring along a nice little plate or platter for serving the Cold Cuts at your destination.

Chevre, Arugula and Fig Jam Sandwiches on Raisin Nut Bread
These sophisticated sandwiches are surprisingly easy to make, as all of the ingredients can be purchased at a good grocery, and all you need to do is assemble the sandwiches shortly before your urban adventure begins.

Cucumber, Artichoke Heart and Grape Tomato Salad with herb Vinaigrette
This easy, fresh and tasty salad can be transported in individual servings in charming little Mason jars, one for each guest. Double or triple the recipe depending on the size of your group.

Spiced Almonds
These savory almonds will add extra flavor and protein to your Urban Tea. Serve them from an attractive communal bowl, but give each of your guests a spoon, so they can help themselves. 

Chocolate Shortbread Petticoat Tails
Shortbread has come a long way since its origins in Scotland at least 300 years ago. This crunchy, buttery cookie can now be found in many flavors, including chocolate. And Shortbread has always been a good traveler. It keeps well and likes to be taken on outings, preferably in a little metal box. Shortbread can be made in many shapes; when it is baked in a round tart pan and then cut into pointed wedges, they are referred to as Petticoat Tails.

Cherry-Berry Hand Pies
Your guests will love the big fruit flavor packed into these portable little hand pies. Fresh blackberries and dried cherries are encased in the sturdy dough, ready to be eaten out of hand, with a thermos of hot tea. Yum!

Lemon Tea Bread
​This intensely flavored lemon quick bread will charm your guests at your Urban Tea on the Go. It is actually a portable loaf cake rather than a bread and will be served with the other sweets. You can make this tea bread a day early; keep it at room temperature, tightly wrapped, in the pan in which it was baked. Pack the loaf pan, still wrapped, in your picnic basket, and bring along an oblong platter or cutting board for serving.

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THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
  Philosophy of Tea
     Harmony
     Humility
     Respect
     Creativity

Guidelines for the Host/Hostess

  Gathering and Greeting
  Sharing Stories
  Sharing Food
  Sending the Guests Home

Guidelines for the Guest

  Respect your Hostess/Host
  Bring a Gift if You Wish
  Practice Humility
  Monitor Your Conversation
  Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
  Help if Help is Needed
  Do Not Criticize
  Leave Gracefully
  Send a Thank you Note

A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea

  A Sampling of Teas
  Herbal Teas and Tisanes
  How to Make Tea
  Making Iced Tea
  Tea Concentrate
  Brewing Tea for a Crowd

Tea Utensils and Accessories

  Tea Kettle
  Tea Pot
  Tea Cozy
  Teacups
  Plates
  Silverware
  Teacart
  Tea Strainer
  Tea Infuser
  Three-Tiered Server
  Cream Pitcher and Sugar   Bowl
  Cake Pedestal
  Trifle Bowl
  Jam Pots
  Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
  Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
  Linens
  Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation

Tea Menu Basics

  Sandwiches and Savories
  Savory Spreads and Dips
  Scones and Tea Breads

About Lemons

  Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons

     A Spring Tea
     An Outdoor Summer Tea
     A Winter Afternoon Tea
     An Autumn Afternoon Tea

A Calendar of Tea Parties

  January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
  February:Valentine’s Day Tea
  March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
  April:An Easter Tea
May:Mother’s day Tea
  June:A Wedding Reception Tea

Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake

  July:A Picnic Tea
  AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA

A North American Family Reunion Tea
  An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
  A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
  A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea

  September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
  October:A Tea to Honor   Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
  November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
  December: A Christmas Tea

  In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit

A World of Tea Parties

  A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
  A Portuguese Tea
  A Classic British Afternoon Tea
  An Indian Chai Party
  A California Tea
  A Hawaiian Tea
  An Italian Tea
  An American Southern Tea
  A Russian Tea
A French Afternoon Tea
  A Kosher Teawith  Traditional Jewish Foods

Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions

An Afternoon Tea for Children
  A Tea for Our Elders
  A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
  An Urban Tea on the Go
  Tea for One
  Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
  A Vegan Tea
  A Rose Tea