Tea Time

So, is it a normal reaction to see this photo from SFGirlByBay and think FOOD? Maybe, maybe not, but all of the cute little english country teapots, cups, saucers and creamers on these shelves made my imagination immediately float off to tea party land.  I'll have to admit, I don't host or partake in tea parties often, but I probably should.  Fresh, light foods + tea + assorted desserts = inevitable good times with girlfriends (or boyfriends, for that matter).

Rather than share prices and resources for various items, this food post features links to tempting recipes that are now on my "to cook" list.  Some of them are easier (cucumber and watercress tea sandwiches) than others (homemade apricot preserves), and others may be a bit complicated for an everyday project (matcha green tea macarons), but I hope that you'll find something to try!

Clockwise from top-left:

Marinated Heirloom tomato salad on MyRecipes

Blue Brie with pears and honey from coffeeandvanilla.com

Lime-ginger lemonade by The Sassy Foodie

Flowering Jasmine Arch tea from JingTea.com (£6.90)

Cucumber and Watercress sandwiches (along with other tea sandwich recipes!) at The Loving Spoonful

Orange-glazed blueberry scones by Tyler Florence on Food Network

Matcha (green tea) macarons with chocolate ganache by Five Spice Duck

Glazed lemon cookies from Café Johnsonia

Curried chicken salad recipe from Gourmet Magazine on Epicurious

Spinach, red pepper and Feta quiche also from Gourmet Magazine on Epicurious

Homemade apricot preserves by Just Hungry