Afternoon tea Saturday 1 February 2014

While all my afternoon teas are special events, this was a particular landmark as it was the redemption of the first gift voucher I had ever ‘sold’. It had been bought for someone’s 2013 Xmas present.

I had some dietary preferences to consider in addition to a vegetarian in the mix. The savouries were ‘flattened’ very promptly with only crumbs left in evidence. There’s something very complimentary about that.

The stamina dwindled for the ‘pudding’ course which was a bit of a relief otherwise I might not have had anything to put in my signature Chez Shamwari goody bags!

I knew that macaroons were a favourite for the principle guest (whose Xmas present it was for) so I decided to do a selection of three flavours of these: pistachio, strawberry and chocolate. The strawberry one went down a storm in particular, the flavour being enhanced by using freeze dried strawberry powder in the macaroon mixture. The filling for these and the pistachio were just double cream. The chocolate ones were filled with a very rich Irish whiskey ganache.

Pecan tassies, garnished with a light toffee sauce, and a sumptuous coconut gateau, along with my buttermilk scones and homemade jam, completed the selection.