Downtown Abbey refreshments

[Tiggeroo]

I'm going to watch the new episode. I think I'll have tea. What would you have ?

 

[Christine]

Scons with clotted cream to go with that tea. I actually love the ones that the Grand Floridian has at their afternoon tea.

 

[lorimay]

Scons with clotted cream to go with that tea. I actually love the ones that the Grand Floridian has at their afternoon tea.

OK, Please tell me what clotted cream is?

Thanks.

LOVE DOWNTON ABBEY

 

[Ember]

Well, I'd also have tea, but then I drink a lot of tea so this wouldn't be very unusual... What sort of tea will you have?

 

[Ember]

OK, Please tell me what clotted cream is?

Thanks.

LOVE DOWNTON ABBEY

Clotted, or Devonshire cream, is what happy dreams are made of!

It's a thick, heavy, sweet, high-fat cream that you pile onto scones with reckless abandon. Depending on whether where you live you do this one of two ways: In Devon, the cream is traditionally spread first on the scone, with the jam dolloped on top; in Cornwall the jam is spread first with a dollop of cream. Personally, I like doing jam then cream, as I find the jam slips off the cream and it's messier all around. If the scone eating is preceded by cucumber sandwiches... Then you have perfection!

 

[mjantz]

I'm actually going to do a 'tea' for dinner for next weeks episode. Chicken salad sandwiches, cucumber w/ herbed cream cheese open sandwiches, chocolate chip scones, cheddar bacon scones, & 2 kinds of cookies. I'll probably add a green salad as well.

ETA: Not sure what kind of tea. We have a Keurig plus lots of varieties of hot teas so I'll probably just let everyone choose their favorite.

 

[asta]

OK, Please tell me what clotted cream is?

Thanks.

LOVE DOWNTON ABBEY

I don't know how it is made but I think it tastes like mild, sweet butter. I can only find Clotted Cream or Devonshire Cream at Whole Foods. Both go wonderfully with scones so it is worth the trouble to look for it.

 

[lorimay]

Clotted, or Devonshire cream, is what happy dreams are made of!

It's a thick, heavy, sweet, high-fat cream that you pile onto scones with reckless abandon. Depending on whether where you live you do this one of two ways: In Devon, the cream is traditionally spread first on the scone, with the jam dolloped on top; in Cornwall the jam is spread first with a dollop of cream. Personally, I like doing jam then cream, as I find the jam slips off the cream and it's messier all around. If the scone eating is preceded by cucumber sandwiches... Then you have perfection!

YUM! I will for sure have some of that deliciousness please.

 

[Ember]

I'm actually going to do a 'tea' for dinner for next weeks episode. Chicken salad sandwiches, cucumber w/ herbed cream cheese open sandwiches, chocolate chip scones, cheddar bacon scones, & 2 kinds of cookies. I'll probably add a green salad as well.

ETA: Not sure what kind of tea. We have a Keurig plus lots of varieties of hot teas so I'll probably just let everyone choose their favorite.

For extra tea-points (as you can probably see, tea is one of my passions!):

"High tea" sounds fancy and important, but it is often used incorrectly. When most people hear "high tea" what they're really thinking of is "afternoon tea" or "low tea."

High tea is an evening meal usually served between 5 to 7 pm. High tea typically consists of a hot dish such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or macaroni cheese, followed by cakes and bread, butter and jam. Occasionally there would be cold cuts of meat, such as ham salad. Traditionally high tea was eaten by middle to upper class children (whose parents would have a more formal dinner later) or by labourers, miners and the like when they came home from work. The term was first used around 1825 and high is used in the sense of well-advanced to signify that it was taken later in the day.*

Afternoon tea is served in the afternoon. This is the social gathering where you are expected to know your manners and sit around having artful conversations. The tradition of afternoon tea began in England in the 1840's.

*From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_(meal)

 

[mjantz]

Yep, what I'm doing is more of an afternoon tea but we are going to have it for the evening meal (dinner/supper).

 

[Ember]

Yep, what I'm doing is more of an afternoon tea but we are going to have it for the evening meal (dinner/supper).

Sounds delightful!

 

[Christine]

ETA: Not sure what kind of tea. We have a Keurig plus lots of varieties of hot teas so I'll probably just let everyone choose their favorite.

Just curious how the Keurig does with tea? I'm kind of a tea snob and it, while I do have a Keurig, there just doesn't seem to be anything right with the fast brew method of tea pods. Does the tea come out okay?

 

[mjantz]

I've not used the Keurig for tea as far as using the pods. I just use it as a quick method of hot water for my tea bags. We did get a box of chai latte & my daughter says its really good.

 

[Christine]

I've not used the Keurig for tea as far as using the pods. I just use it as a quick method of hot water for my tea bags. We did get a box of chai latte & my daughter says its really good.

Got it!! Now you see, I only really drink black tea (and strong) and I bring my water to a rolling boil and pour it over the bag. When I've used "very hot" water, the tea just doesn't have as much flavor for me.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I had Earl Grey while watching the new episode this morning. (I DVR the series, and generally watch it on Mondays.)

And thanks for the history stuff, Ember. - I never knew the real differences!

 

[java]

I'm a big green tea girl. Love that stuff. With 2 lumps please. And I would love a scone with jam.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I have several good smelling teas from Teavana so i'll probably have one of those. What aisle do you find clotted cream?

 

[denisenh]

Just curious how the Keurig does with tea? I'm kind of a tea snob and it, while I do have a Keurig, there just doesn't seem to be anything right with the fast brew method of tea pods. Does the tea come out okay?

I use the keurig for hot water for convenience. I like regular old back tea in the bag but I do notice that the tea tastes better with boiled water, in my opinion.

If I were to purposely get a Downton Abbey themed snack together I would definitely have hot tea and either little sandwiches or simple cookies , maybe both.
Maybe I will do that next Sunday for episode 2 and light the fireplace too.

 

[asta]

I have several good smelling teas from Teavana so i'll probably have one of those. What aisle do you find clotted cream?

I usually have to ask but the last time Whole Foods had it on the far wall in a refrigerated dairy case. I have never seen clotted cream in our local Kroger or Publix stores.

 

[Christine]

I usually have to ask but the last time Whole Foods had it on the far wall in a refrigerated dairy case. I have never seen clotted cream in our local Kroger or Publix stores.

My Wegman's carries both clotted and Devonshire cream. It is kept in the small cheese case right next to our olive bar. In that case they have a good selection of imported butter also.