Very Gothic Valentine Tea

Etsy seller 1313MockingbirdLane
Death, The Sandman by Neil Gaiman

One would expect that, as big as I am on Victorian things normally, that I'd be really big on Valentine's Day, right?

Um...no.  Not so much.  It's ok, in it's way, but it often ends up being a bit over the top for me, personally.  There is so much about modern Valentine's practices that make it feel like obligation to me; my spouse still loves me whether he purchases me overpriced roses and chocolates on a certain day or not (and gets even more points when he does something unexpected, or buys me a potted herb or fern).  So this month, I bring you the anti-valentine tea menu...hopefully an antidote to your otherwise saccharine month. 

Menu
(Taking advantage of the spring flavors already trickling in from California)


Mini Asparagus Tarts with Lemon and Creme Fraiche

Radish-Butter Sandwiches (recipe below)

Open Faced Sandwiches with Cream Cheese and a Jam Heart (use dark jam like blackberry or fig)

Slices of Good Chocolate Pound Cake, with fresh strawberries.



Suggested Teas: Earl Gray, St. Dalfour Organic Black Cherry Tea, A good Spiced Chai.

Necklace by Etsy seller TheLysineContingency
I would strongly suggest penning invitations to this sort of engagement by hand, on antiqued paper. Background music could be classical, however for a more "lively" feeling Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, etc. would certainly be appropriate, as would scents by Dark Candles
Project from the blog Ever Kelly

Open Faced Radish Sandwiches

Good Sourdough Bread
Unsalted Butter (A great time to try the very nice Irish stuff kept with the fancy cheese at some supermarkets...whatever the case, as fresh as you can get)
Finely ground Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper

Leave butter at room temperature for around 15 minutes--just enough to soften, but still spread thickly.  Slice bread, and cut into shapes or anything fancy you'd like to do.  Cut tops and ends off radishes, then slice thinly.  You can even use a vegetable peeler.  Spread bread with butter, then layer radishes, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Very simple, but good, meaning that the quality of the ingredients you use is everything.  

By Etsy maker AustinModern


1 comments:

~~louise~~ said...

Oh how I agree, Jesse. An Anti-Valentine Tea Menu is now in my bookmarks for next year.

Thanks for sharing...

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