Tea-time Recipes

by Jane Pettigrew

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." Henry James Portrait of a Lady.Given the popularity of National Trust tea-rooms, visitors would seem to echo James’ sentiment. Jane Pettigrew has collected recipes for cakes, breads and biscuits from National Trust cooks and chefs to provide a survey of regional dishes that use local for example, Old Peculier Fruit Cake from Yorkshire, Bara Brith, the traditional Welsh tea bread, and Irish potato cakes. Tempting goodies also include sticky lemon cake and chocolate orange drizzle cake.Examples of tea’s associations with National Trust properties are legion and in this book Pettigrew discovers curious and ornate tea wares from the Orient and from Europe, relates stories of bizarre tea parties, and finds that each afternoon at Lanhydrock in Cornwall a tea table is set with lace cloth, fine porcelain, silver tea knives and linen napkins – just as tea tables have been set in Britain since the late 19th century.

Genres: Cookbooks

164 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

Jane Pettigrew is a tea specialist, historian, writer and consultant. Since 1983, she has been working in the UK and around the world to explain and share the fascinating world of tea.

She has written 15 books on the many and varied aspects of tea, its production, history and culture, and she writes for tea related magazines and journals.

She also gives regular tea masterclasses and tea tastings, speaks on radio and TV and acts as consultant to tea companies, new tea businesses, table ware and tea ware companies.

Reviews

[Jenna May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bakers, food history fiends, and folks interested in traditional/regional food, this is for you.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this cookbook, so I won't pain anyone with my attempts. The proof, in any case, is in the proverbial pudding.

There are cakes, scones, tarts, biscuits, and everything in between, as well as helpful tips for converting recipes and solving baking dilemmas. The recipes are organized by region, as well, which is great fun. Also, every recipe I've made from this book has turned out superbly.

It's a bit hard to find, but if you can lay your hands on one, snatch it up!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this tea book. It breaks down in easy and no-nonsense manners different ingredients, and introduces before recipes how it came about and the sections, with how tea means to it. Some interesting recipes that are both easy and difficult to get the ingredients for. There are large, pretty photos of some of the food offerings in between certain sections. The recipes are organized by region, which is nice.