High Tea...For Just Me.

Laugh all you want, but I LOVE some of the English traditions. Since I am not currently staying in a hotel in the U.K. (or any posh hotel in the U.S. that offers High Tea), and I'm actually stranded in my house on a cold winter's day, I decided I needed some cheering up. So, I baked some scones (I love this recipe from Plated Cravings), and put together some cucumber/dill & egg salad finger sandwiches. Add some tea and Voila--High Tea for one!

It's not fancy schmancy like a REAL High Tea, but it was just for me-- so I'm good. (Warning, High Tea is not for low carb/sugar diets! If I'm going to splurge on carbs, THIS is the one time to do it.) And look at these sandwiches. Aren't they cute?

I slathered my scone with butter (don't judge) and some rhubarb-strawberry preserves and Devonshire cream and my oh my was it sooooo good!

I think buying clotted/Devonshire cream in a jar is A) expensive and B) silly because you can make it fresh at home! I made the cream earlier and stored it in the refrigerator, and unfortunately, I just couldn't wait to get it to room temperature! (That is what you're supposed to do with clotted cream/Devonshire cream, it tastes/spreads better that way.) But it was so fun and so delicious. 

Cheered me right up!

But if you really would like to know how to P-R-O-P-E-R-L-Y set up an afternoon Tea For One: Ellen Easton describes the how and why in this article, titled "A Proper Afternoon Individual Tea Setting." It's VERY informative! I had no idea there were so many RULES! But I am happy to remain ignorant, and make rules up for myself. However I do know the "3-Tier Rule" for High Tea. When you have the 3-Tier server, it always goes this way:

Sandwiches and Savories on the bottom, Scones/Biscuits with Jam and Cream in the middle, and Desserts and Treats on the top. So simple. Have to remember that!