As wedding excitement builds to a fever (and for some, overwrought) pitch, TLC is playing royal wedding programming nonstop. I had a chance during a frantic work day yesterday to watch some of it because my amazing hairdresser came by to trim my “Founding Father Wig”-esque hair helmet into a nice layered coif. The only work I could do ‘under the knife’ was taking the occasional phone call, so I took advantage of the down time. As she cut, we watched. (Yes, she makes housecalls!)
I’m very excited to watch the wedding live at ass-crack-‘o-clock here at NW HQ, and I will be having a few brave souls over to view it with me. Of course, I MUST have food to serve. And if you too are planning to watch live, or the more manageably-timed repeat of the ceremony, you may be wondering, “What veddy, veddy British food shall I serve?”
As a total Anglophile, I’m going in the tea route. Tea is my favorite type of meal, ever. My menu?
First, scones: I’m going to try this very authentic recipe. As the author notes, it should be a sound departure from Americanized dried-out counterparts. These pastries go wonderfully with jam, curd, or clotted cream. As I have a flourishing lemon tree in my backyard, lemon curd will be accompaniment. My favorite recipe is from the Joy of Cooking cookbook, but Alton Brown has a great alternative as well.
Clotted cream is divine, and when made right, there’s nothing more luxurious. I recommend buying it instead of making it, and Chado Tea Room is my favorite source, and reasonably priced, too. It’s fresh-made and you can’t go wrong.
Finger sandwiches probably won’t work at 2am, but if your viewing party is later in the day, make some simple sandwiches with some good white bread, egg salad, smoked salmon, and cucumber, with crème fraiche and/or cream cheese to slather on first.
And of course, tea! My favorite? PG Tips, the everyday tea of the Brits. It’s hardcore black tea that will wake you up big time, and with a little honey and half and half, there’s nothing better. (My British friends will curse me, but I steam some half and half, pour in a touch of genuine vanilla extract, and make a latte out of it.) You can find it at Gelsons, Whole Foods, and Fresh n Easy. Some consider bagged tea “common,” but at such an early hour you will long for the simplicity of bags, and it comes mainly in bags here in the States. Use an extra bag or two in the pot for that loose tea strength.
Other good teas: Lady Gray by Twinings; Earl Gray by Stash; and well-priced English Breakfast by Trader Joes.
Last but not least, what’s a wedding without bubbly? Recently I test-drove some Proseccos and sparkling vinos for a client, and I loved this Australian sparkling wine. (Aptly named “Pink.”) Be careful, though – Australian wines seem stronger than the norm, and one glass of this stuff on an empty stomach might render you useless all day. (Not that that’s a bad thing!)
Get your kitchens (and alarm clocks) ready – 2 more days!