HOSTING THE
ULTIMATE
MORNING TEA
IF YOU’RE NOT A SEASONED ENTERTAINER, MORNING TEA IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO HONE YOUR SKILLS.
There’s less pressure than a dinner party and so much you can do ahead of time. With a few simple hints and tricks, preparing a deluxe occasion for your family and friends couldn’t be easier. It’s the ideal way to earn your entertaining stripes! Here are my top tips to help you prepare your ultimate morning tea.
GET ORGANISED!
The first step is to plan your guest list and your menu. Keep guest numbers manageable so that you can enjoy yourself, and choose a menu that suits the time of year. There’s nothing lovelier than using local, seasonal produce, such as stone fruits in Summer (perfect in this Peach and Plum Upside-Down Cake) and fresh figs in Autumn (try them on the Ricotta Fruit Tart). Also include on the menu at least one or two dishes that can be made a day ahead, such as the Simple Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, Lemon Tart, Pumpkin Loaf or Linzer Torte so there’s no last-minute rush.
IF YOU’RE NOT A SEASONED ENTERTAINER, MORNING TEA IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO HONE YOUR SKILLS.
There’s less pressure than a dinner party and so much you can do ahead of time. With a few simple hints and tricks, preparing a deluxe occasion for your family and friends couldn’t be easier. It’s the ideal way to earn your entertaining stripes! Here are my top tips to help you prepare your ultimate morning tea.
GET ORGANISED!
The first step is to plan your guest list and your menu. Keep guest numbers manageable so that you can enjoy yourself, and choose a menu that suits the time of year. There’s nothing lovelier than using local, seasonal produce, such as stone fruits in Summer (perfect in this Peach and Plum Upside-Down Cake) and fresh figs in Autumn (try them on the Ricotta Fruit Tart). Also include on the menu at least one or two dishes that can be made a day ahead, such as the Simple Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, Lemon Tart, Pumpkin Loaf or Linzer Torte so there’s no last-minute rush.
DIFFERENT BAKES FOR DIFFERENT MATES.
Check ahead for any special requirements your guests may have. Gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free… it’s all easy to accommodate so long as you have plenty of notice. But to save you from cooking a different recipe for each and every guest, look for dishes that everyone can enjoy. For example, served in pretty glasses, Milk Jellies with Poached Stone Fruits are just the loveliest gluten-free, nut-free and egg-free offering, but they’re also a dish that guests without any restrictions would still consider a delicious treat.
CUT CORNERS.
Sometimes a bit of cheating can make hosting a get-together so much easier – it’s just a matter of knowing which corners to cut. If you’re time poor or not confident in the kitchen, trying choosing a biscuit that doesn’t need to be rolled and cut out. For example, Chocolate Spelt Biscuits can be made as a ‘cheat’s version’ by simply slicing them from an easy log shape, instead of using heart-shaped cutters. As for cheat’s scones, the dough can simply be cut into squares with a knife to avoid using a round cutter and re-rolling the scraps. By not pushing your culinary boundaries too far, you can keep your morning tea stress-free.
DIFFERENT BAKES FOR DIFFERENT MATES.
Check ahead for any special requirements your guests may have. Gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free… it’s all easy to accommodate so long as you have plenty of notice. But to save you from cooking a different recipe for each and every guest, look for dishes that everyone can enjoy. For example, served in pretty glasses, Milk Jellies with Poached Stone Fruits are just the loveliest gluten-free, nut-free and egg-free offering, but they’re also a dish that guests without any restrictions would still consider a delicious treat.
CUT CORNERS.
Sometimes a bit of cheating can make hosting a get-together so much easier – it’s just a matter of knowing which corners to cut. If you’re time poor or not confident in the kitchen, trying choosing a biscuit that doesn’t need to be rolled and cut out. For example, Chocolate Spelt Biscuits can be made as a ‘cheat’s version’ by simply slicing them from an easy log shape, instead of using heart-shaped cutters. As for cheat’s scones, the dough can simply be cut into squares with a knife to avoid using a round cutter and re-rolling the scraps. By not pushing your culinary boundaries too far, you can keep your morning tea stress-free.
COOL REFRESHERS AND SNUGGLY SIPS.
Check the weather forecast in the lead-up to your morning tea and make some final decisions based on what the thermostat will be. If it’s going to be a hot one, consider adding a refreshing icy drink to the menu, such as Citrus Syrup cordial. Or if it’s scarf-and-gloves weather, your guests will be grateful for a Winter warmer like Spiced Almond Eggnog or Spiced Turmeric Apple Cider.
A RELAXED VIBE
For me, the best morning tea is one that doesn’t feel too stiff and structured. By all means use your delicate bone china and your vintage silver cutlery, but pair them with soft linens and home-grown flowers to create a more relaxed feel. If you grow your own herbs, you can use them both in your cooking and to decorate your event. Rosemary, for example, gives a wonderful, aromatic lift to Zucchini Banana Bread and it also looks lovely mixed through a bunch of fresh garden flowers on your table.
COOL REFRESHERS AND SNUGGLY SIPS.
Check the weather forecast in the lead-up to your morning tea and make some final decisions based on what the thermostat will be. If it’s going to be a hot one, consider adding a refreshing icy drink to the menu, such as Citrus Syrup cordial. Or if it’s scarf-and-gloves weather, your guests will be grateful for a Winter warmer like Spiced Almond Eggnog or Spiced Turmeric Apple Cider.
A RELAXED VIBE
For me, the best morning tea is one that doesn’t feel too stiff and structured. By all means use your delicate bone china and your vintage silver cutlery, but pair them with soft linens and home-grown flowers to create a more relaxed feel. If you grow your own herbs, you can use them both in your cooking and to decorate your event. Rosemary, for example, gives a wonderful, aromatic lift to Zucchini Banana Bread and it also looks lovely mixed through a bunch of fresh garden flowers on your table.
MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR FREEZER.
When it comes to planning ahead for your morning tea, your freezer truly is your best friend. Frozen desserts such as the Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake can be made well in advance and lightly thawed just before guests arrived, so you’re not rushing around. Don’t forget your fridge either – so many dishes can be made at least a day ahead and kept in the fridge until you need them: Baked Honey Cheesecake, Peanut Caramel Slice, Protein Balls, Raw Carrot Cake. Simply slice and serve!
LET YOUR SOUS CHEF DO THE GRUNT WORK.
Don’t waste your prep time doing fiddly jobs by hand like chopping nuts, melting chocolate, stirring custard, whipping cream or mashing banana… that’s what you have your Thermomix® for! Keep in mind all the varied functions your Thermomix® is capable of doing for you (consult your Basic Cookbook if you need a refresher) and you’ll be getting the most out of your clever little sous chef.
MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR FREEZER.
When it comes to planning ahead for your morning tea, your freezer truly is your best friend. Frozen desserts such as the Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake can be made well in advance and lightly thawed just before guests arrived, so you’re not rushing around. Don’t forget your fridge either – so many dishes can be made at least a day ahead and kept in the fridge until you need them: Baked Honey Cheesecake, Peanut Caramel Slice, Protein Balls, Raw Carrot Cake. Simply slice and serve!
LET YOUR SOUS CHEF DO THE GRUNT WORK.
Don’t waste your prep time doing fiddly jobs by hand like chopping nuts, melting chocolate, stirring custard, whipping cream or mashing banana… that’s what you have your Thermomix® for! Keep in mind all the varied functions your Thermomix® is capable of doing for you (consult your Basic Cookbook if you need a refresher) and you’ll be getting the most out of your clever little sous chef.
GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK (TEA).
There aren’t many of us who haven’t embraced at least in some small way the trend towards healthier eating. While your Grandmother would probably have served a lovely pot of black tea when she was hosting a morning get-together, these days many of us prefer a Matcha Latte, a Green Smoothie, or perhaps a Lemongrass Mint and Ginger Tea. Serving one of these other options alongside traditional tea will allow you to cater to you friends’ varied preferences. Using plenty of nourishing, wholefoods in your cooking, like you’ll find in the Chocolate Sweet Potato Slice and the Berry Coconut Cashew Bars, will also keep your health-conscious guests happy.
DON’T HESITATE TO DELEGATE.
Finally, if your Aunt or best friend is famous for her signature chocolate biscuits, it’s worth asking her to bring a batch along – she can probably make them with her eyes closed and take some of the pressure off you. If you’ve had offers to bring a plate, graciously accept! Knowing that one or two guests will be contributing to the menu will help keep the event fun for you too.
Good luck and happy cooking!
GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK (TEA).
There aren’t many of us who haven’t embraced at least in some small way the trend towards healthier eating. While your Grandmother would probably have served a lovely pot of black tea when she was hosting a morning get-together, these days many of us prefer a Matcha Latte, a Green Smoothie, or perhaps a Lemongrass Mint and Ginger Tea. Serving one of these other options alongside traditional tea will allow you to cater to you friends’ varied preferences. Using plenty of nourishing, wholefoods in your cooking, like you’ll find in the Chocolate Sweet Potato Slice and the Berry Coconut Cashew Bars, will also keep your health-conscious guests happy.
DON’T HESITATE TO DELEGATE.
Finally, if your Aunt or best friend is famous for her signature chocolate biscuits, it’s worth asking her to bring a batch along – she can probably make them with her eyes closed and take some of the pressure off you. If you’ve had offers to bring a plate, graciously accept! Knowing that one or two guests will be contributing to the menu will help keep the event fun for you too.
Good luck and happy cooking!
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA
We believe that Sweet Nourish is the perfect reason to take part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and have friends, family or workmates come together to share a cuppa and some delicious food whilst supporting those affected by cancer. The official date for the next Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday 25 May 2017, however you can hold your tea any time during May or June. To register your event or to make a donation to the Cancer Council, click on the links below.
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA
We believe that Sweet Nourish is the perfect reason to take part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and have friends, family or workmates come together to share a cuppa and some delicious food whilst supporting those affected by cancer. The official date for the next Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday 25 May 2017, however you can hold your tea any time during May or June. To register your event or to make a donation to the Cancer Council, click on the links below.
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA
We believe that Sweet Nourish is the perfect reason to take part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and have friends, family or workmates come together to share a cuppa and some delicious food whilst supporting those affected by cancer. The official date for the next Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday 25 May 2017, however you can hold your tea any time during May or June. To register your event or to make a donation to the Cancer Council, click on the links below.
