Christmas is certainly one of my favourite times of the year and putting on a festive themed afternoon tea is always great fun. Items on the menu this year featured interpretations of some of the more traditional items one might find on offer. Look for them in the macaron and millefeuille. Other seasonal flavours are dotted about in the savouries and other sweet items. Enjoy.
Sandwiches
- Egg ‘n cress
- Mature cheddar with pear & walnut chutney
- Beef & horseradish
Finger sandwiches
Savouries
Savoury choux filled with mushroom & port – the choux were baked with a savoury craquelin topping to add texture and flavour to the creamy port & mushroom filling
Smoked salmon blinis – served with crème fraiche and garnished with dill.
Savouries table setting
The sweet stuff
Eggnog millefeuille – the crème pâtissière here takes on all the eggnog flavours.
Christmas cake macaron – the macaron shell was flavoured with a light dusting of mixed spice and then filled with a ganache containing Xmas Cake that I’d puréed in brandy. It really did work at treat.
Eggnog millefeuille
Bramley apple bavarois & hazelnut sablé – bramley apples being in season this brought something lighter and more delicate to the table.
Apple bavarois on hazelnut sablé
Chocolate, orange & tiramisu cheesecake – chocolate and orange are such a classic combination and not out of place on any Christmas table.
Chocolate, orange & tiramisu cream cheesecake
Mince pie – unadulterated and no disguise!
Mini mince pies
Buttermilk scones with jam & clotted cream
Scones
