LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2014 – Rumors of a second Royal baby are bouncing around cyberspace. As we anxiously await confirmation from the British royal family, you can prepare to celebrate by creating a “Royal Menu” of tea, cookies, scones, clotted cream and an assortment of jams and jellies.
You can stock your kitchen with British favorites that can be served in an instant to celebrate the news: PG Tips (delicious English tea), McVitie’s biscuits, Devon Clotted Cream, scones and assorted jams and jellies.
Although in celebration we would love to create an elaborate meal of Yorkshire pudding, Beef Wellington or other British favorites, we all know the British love tea-time.
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Not only is what you serve important, but how you serve it is important, too. Break out the good china for the celebration. Have fresh linens pressed and ready to go. Last but not least, get your kettle ready.
The easiest way to make a perfect cup of tea is to use an electric kettle that keeps the water at the perfect temperature. However, if that isn’t an option then you can always boil water in either a classic kettle used on the stove or even boil it in a pot, if you are desperate. Whatever you do, do not use the microwave.
The trick is to bring the water to a boil and the second it is boiling pour it over the tea bag or loose leaves and let it steep for up to five minutes.
Tea time is always a good time. The best part about this royal menu: it will seem like you’ve been preparing it for days when actually it’s only a trip to the grocery store and a few quick searches online.
Scones and Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread
Scones
Serves: 10
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup of unsalted butter
- 1 cup milk (reserve a ¼ for a milk wash)
Directions:
In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Use a fork to mix the dry ingredients. Once the dry ingredients are mixed together add in the cold butter until the mixture is coarse, resembling cornmeal.
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Gradually add the milk to make soft dough. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to a ½ inch round and use cooking cutters or a knife to make desired shapes. Lightly brush the milk over the scones to create a very light sheen.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes.
Strawberry Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
1 cup of whipped cream cheese
½ cup strawberries pounded or strawberry jam (place de-stemmed strawberries in a bag and let your kids squish them)
Directions:
In a mixing bowl add cream cheese and mix in the smashed strawberries and juice (or jam).
Serve with scones
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