Authors: Laura Childs
FAVORITE RECIPES FROM
The Indigo Tea Shop
Killer Sweet Tea
(They say revenge is a dish best served cold. So is this sweet tea!)
3 cups water
3 tea bags
¾ cup sugar
6 cups cold water
1 tray ice cubes
BRING 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the tea bags. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Pour into a 1-gallon jar or pitcher, then add 6 cups of water and the ice. Enjoy!
Peach Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp. baking powder
6 Tbsp. butter
2 eggs
1
/
3
cup sour cream
½ tsp. almond extract
1 cup fresh or canned peaches, diced
PREHEAT the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, nutmeg, and baking powder. Cut in the butter using a fork or pastry blender. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and almond extract. Stir this mixture into the dry mixture until well combined. Add the peaches and stir until combined. Drop about ¼ cup of dough onto a greased baking sheet or into each cup of a greased muffin tin. Bake until golden brown, about 16 minutes on a baking sheet or 18 minutes in a muffin tin.
Dandy Devonshire Cream
8 oz. heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. powdered sugar
BEAT the whipping cream for 2 to 3 minutes, until stiff. Mix in the sour cream and powdered sugar. Serve as a topping for your favorite scones.
Tea-Simmered Chicken
2 tsp. cooking oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup water
½ cup soy sauce
4 chicken breasts
2 tea bags, black tea or flavored
HEAT the oil in a medium frying pan and add the chopped garlic. Sizzle for about 3 minutes. Add the water and soy sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tea bags and simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Serve hot with rice.
Tomato Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches
1 can (14 oz.) chopped tomatoes, drained
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup butter, softened
1 small onion, finely chopped
½ tsp. salt
MIX the ingredients together until well combined. Spread onto whole-wheat bread, top with another slice, cut off the crusts, and cut into triangles.
Easy-Bake Scottish Shortbread
2 cups butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4½ cups all-purpose flour
PREHEAT the oven to 325 degrees F. Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Then add 3¾ cups of the flour and mix well. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of the flour on a smooth surface. Knead the dough on top of it for about 5 minutes, allowing some flour to incorporate. When the dough is soft and pliable, roll it out about ½ inch thick and cut into 1-by-3-inch strips. Use a fork to prick the strips, then place them on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden.
Drayton’s Cock-a-Leekie Soup
2 lb. chicken pieces, bone in, skin removed
5 cups water
1
/
3
cup onion, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
1 can (10.5 oz.) condensed chicken broth
3 leeks, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
½ Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
PLACE the chicken, water, onion, and potatoes in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Remove the chicken, pull the meat from the bones, and chop into bite-size pieces. Add the chicken meat back to the pot. Now add the chicken broth, leeks, celery, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 45 minutes to 1 hour. Serves 6.
Brie and Pear Crostini
1 baguette
Brie cheese, softened
1 pear, thinly sliced
Honey
SLICE the baguette into thin slices and lightly toast. Spread the toast with Brie cheese, top with thin slices of pear, and drizzle with honey. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Scones
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup light brown sugar
1¾ tsp. baking powder
1
/
3
cup butter
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup milk
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
PREHEAT the oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together flour, brown sugar, and baking powder. Melt the butter and stir it into the flour mixture until crumbly. In a separate bowl, stir together the peanut butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Add the mixtures together and combine well to make the dough. Drop 8 large tablespoons of dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Summer Tea Sparkler
Jasmine, raspberry, or rose hips tea
Ginger ale
BREW a small pot of jasmine, raspberry, or rose hips tea. Allow to cool, then pour over a glass of crushed ice until half full. Now add ginger ale and stir. Garnish with lemon slices.
Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits
BISCUITS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ cup butter
2
/
3
cup milk
1
/
3
cup raisins
ICING
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1½ Tbsp. milk
½ tsp. vanilla extract
PREHEAT the oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse and crumbly. Add the milk and raisins and stir until combined. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth. Roll out ½ inch thick and cut out biscuits using a 2½-inch round cutter. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. For the icing, combine all ingredients until smooth and drizzle over the biscuits.
Haley’s Espresso Bars
BARS
¼ cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup brewed espresso
1 egg
1½ cups self-rising flour
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ cup chopped slivered almonds
GLAZE
1½ cups confectioner’s sugar
3 Tbsp. water
¾ tsp. almond extract
PREHEAT the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and espresso until blended. Beat in the egg. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and cinnamon. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the almonds. Spread the batter into a greased 10-by-15-inch baking pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
FOR the glaze, in a small bowl, combine the confectioner’s sugar, water, and almond extract until smooth. Then spread the glaze over the warm bars.
TEA TIME TIPS FROM
Laura Childs
Retro Tea
Pull out your retro tea ware, plates, and mugs and have a retro tea party. Still have a lava lamp left over? Or a lime-green ice bucket or tablecloth strewn with red cherries? So much the better. Go retro in your tea sandwiches, too, with roast beef and Cheddar cheese or chicken salad garnished with sliced strawberries. Surely you’ve got a Jetsons-style pitcher you can use for good old-fashioned iced tea. For hot tea it’s got to be Lipton’s Tea bags, of course.
Moss Garden Tea
The Japanese are extremely fond of moss gardens, and creating your own moss garden can make for an elegant centerpiece. Using a large, flat ceramic tray, arrange a few pieces of moss with a few interesting rocks and a bit of white sand. If you have a small bonsai to add to your arrangement, so much the better. Serve tea-smoked chicken, steaming white rice, miso soup, a green salad, and Japanese green tea. And if you’ve never tasted green tea ice cream (which makes a wonderful dessert) or Japanese black bean cookies, you’re in for a treat!
Country Table Tea
Spread out a red-and-white checkered tablecloth, grab a few metal trivets, and put your teapots right on the table. A large crock brimming with fresh flowers makes a great centerpiece, and mugs can take the place of delicate teacups at this tea. Serve cornbread with honey, maraschino cherry scones, and chive egg salad on marble swirl bread. A hearty black tea or even chai would be perfect.
Front Porch Tea
When butterflies and dragonflies are flitting about, why not serve a luncheon tea on your front porch? Think floral print tablecloths, delicate china, small votive candles, and fresh flowers from your garden. Start with cream scones and Devonshire cream, then enjoy tea sandwiches of chicken salad or cream cheese and cucumber. Sugar cookies and brownie bites make for a sweet dessert. A vanilla spice or black plum tea would be elegant with this menu.
A Royal Tea
The queen takes tea every afternoon, so why shouldn’t you? Go traditionally British with English breakfast tea or Earl Grey served in fine china (Shelley chintz if you have it!). Serve ginger scones with Devonshire cream or cream scones with lemon curd. Serve a medley of tea sandwiches such as ham, cream cheese, and English chutney, or shrimp salad sandwiches. Place cards for your guests could be tiny cutouts of the royal family!
Bridal Shower Tea
Why not plan a formal tea party for the bride-to-be in your life? Make your table elegant with a white linen or lace tablecloth, lots of silver, and gleaming crystal. And for this event, you’ll want tall tapers and perhaps an orchid or two for the centerpiece. The menu might include white chocolate scones, lobster salad tea sandwiches, and banana bread with cream cheese. Serve a honey hibiscus tea or perhaps a Moroccan mint. Guest favors might include lace handkerchiefs, teacups, or demitasse spoons.
TEA RESOURCES
TEA PUBLICATIONS
TEA Magazine
—Quarterly magazine about tea as a beverage and its cultural significance in the arts and society. (www.teamag.com)
Tea Poetry
—Book compiled and published by Pearl Dexter.
TeaTime
—Luscious magazine profiling tea and tea lore. Filled with glossy photos and wonderful recipes. (www.teatimemagazine.com)
Southern Lady
—From the publishers of
TeaTime
with a focus on people and places in the South as well as wonderful tea time recipes. (www.southernladymagazine.com)
The Tea House Times
—Dozens of links to tea shops, purveyors of tea, gift shops, and tea events. (www.teahousetimes.com)
Victoria
—Articles and pictorials on homes, home design, gardens, and tea. (www.victoriamag.com)
The Gilded Lily
—Publication from the Ladies Tea Guild. (www.glily.com)
Tea in Texas
—Highlighting Texas tea rooms and tea events. (www.teaintexas.com)
Tea Talk Magazine
—Covers tea news and tea shops in Britain. (www.teatalkmagazine.co.uk)
Fresh Cup Magazine
—For tea and coffee professionals. (www.freshcup.com)
Bruce Richardson—This noted tea authority has written several definitive books on tea. (www.elmwoodinn.com/books)
Jane Pettigrew—This author has written thirteen books on the varied aspects of tea and its history and culture. (www.janepettigrew.com/books)
A Tea Reader
—An anthology of tea stories and reflections by Katrina Avila Munichiello.
AMERICAN TEA PLANTATIONS
Charleston Tea Plantation—The oldest and largest tea plantation in the United States. Order their fine black tea or schedule a visit. (www.bigelowtea.com)
Fairhope Tea Plantation—Tea produced in Fairhope, Alabama, can be purchased through the Church Mouse gift shop. (www.thechurchmouse.com)
Sakuma Brothers Farm—This tea garden just outside Burlington, Washington, has been growing white and green tea for more than a dozen years. (www.sakumamarket.com)
Big Island Tea—Organic artisan tea from Hawaii. (www.bigislandtea.com)
Mauna Kea Tea—Organic green and oolong tea from Hawaii’s Big Island. (www.maunakeatea.com)
Onomea Tea—Nine-acre tea estate near Hilo, Hawaii. (www.onomeatea.com)
TEA WEBSITES AND INTERESTING BLOGS
Teamap.com—Directory of hundreds of tea shops in the United States and Canada.
GreatTearoomsofAmerica.com—Excellent tea shop guide.
Cookingwithideas.typepad.com—Recipes and book reviews for the bibliochef.
Cuppatea4sheri.blogspot.com—Amazing recipes.
Seedrack.com—Order
Camellia sinensis
seeds and grow your own tea!
Friendshiptea.net—Tea shop reviews, recipes, and more.
Theladiestea.com—Networking platform for women.
Jennybakes.com—Fabulous recipes from a real make-it-from-scratch baker.
Allteapots.com—Teapots from around the world.
Fireflyvodka.com—South Carolina purveyors of Sweet Tea Vodka, Raspberry Tea Vodka, Peach Tea Vodka, and more. Just visiting this website is a trip in itself!
Teasquared.blogspot.com—Fun, well-written blog about tea, tea shops, and tea musings.
Bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com—Tea, baking, decorations, and gardening.
Tealoversroom.com—California tea rooms, Teacasts, links.
Teapages.blogspot.com—All things tea.
Possibili-teas.net—Tea consultants with a terrific monthly newsletter.
Baking.about.com—Carroll Pellegrinelli writes a terrific baking blog complete with recipes and step-by-step photo instructions.
Teawithfriends.blogspot.com—Lovely blog on tea, friendship, and tea accoutrements.
Sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com—Terrific book reviews by an entertainment journalist.
Teaescapade.wordpress.com—Enjoyable tea blog.
Bellaonline.com/site/tea—Features and forums on tea.
Lattesandlife.com—Witty musings on life.
Napkinfoldingguide.com—Photo illustrations of twenty-seven different (and sometimes elaborate) napkin folds.
worldteaexpo.com—World Tea Expo, a premier business-to-business trade show, features more than three hundred tea suppliers, vendors, and tea innovators.
Sweetgrassbaskets.net—One of several websites where you can buy sweetgrass baskets direct from South Carolina artists.
Goldendelighthoney.com—Carolina honey to sweeten your tea.
FatCatScones.com—Frozen ready-to-bake scones.
KingArthurFlour.com—One of the best flours for baking. This is what many professional pastry chefs use.
Tvbakepops.com—Order your own cake pops kit.
Thedippshop.com—Order ready-made cake pops.
Teagw.com—Visit this website and click on Products to find dreamy tea pillows filled with jasmine, rose, lavender, and green tea.
Californiateahouse.com—Order Machu’s Blend, a special herbal tea for dogs that promotes healthy skin, lowers stress, and aids digestion.
PURVEYORS OF FINE TEA
Adagio.com
Harney.com
Stashtea.com
Republicoftea.com
Teazaanti.com
Bigelowtea.com
Teasource.com
Celestialseasonings.com
Goldenmoontea.com
Uptontea.com
VISITING CHARLESTON
Charleston.com—Travel and hotel guide.
Charlestoncvb.com—The official Charleston convention and visitor bureau.
Charlestontour.wordpress.com—Private tours of homes and gardens, some including lunch or tea.
Charlestonplace.com—Charleston Place Hotel serves an excellent afternoon tea, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons, 1 to 3.
Culinarytoursofcharleston.com—Sample specialties from Charleston’s local eateries, markets, and bakeries.
Poogansporch.com—This restored Victorian house serves traditional low-country cuisine. Be sure to ask about Poogan!
Preservationsociety.org—Hosts Charleston’s annual Fall Candlelight Tour.
Palmettocarriage.com—Horse-drawn carriage rides.
Charlestonharbortours.com—Boat tours and harbor cruises.
Ghostwalk.net—Stroll into Charleston’s haunted history. Ask them about the “original” Theodosia!
CharlestonTours.net—Ghost tours plus tours of plantations and historic homes.