TEA PARTY EVENT; Sept 30, 2017

PAPER ARCHITECT invites you to . . .

TASTY TEA PARTY MENU PLANNING WORKSHOP

 and PICNIC TEA PARTY

This class focuses specifically on Menu Planning for Tea Parties.

~~ One to Four Courses Menus

~~ Various Tea Party Styles and Menu Samples for each

~~ Tea Overview that includes:

Varieties, Brewing, Serving, Cooking

~~ Tea and Food Pairing

~~ Recipe Ideas, Dietary Considerations

~~ Budgeting and Food Prep Schedule

~~ Presentation and Serving Tips

As we discuss food, you will be served food, one course at a time. 

Using one of the sample menus for a 3 course tea

paired with a tea that complements the food. 

Food served will include meat and vegetarian options only. 

Ice tea and water also available.

A chance for food, fun, information and inspiration

to plan your own special tea party, your way!

DATE: Saturday, September 30, 2017 

TIME:  10:00am - 12:30pm

PLACE:  North Hollywood public park

specific location, parking info, etc. given after your registration/payment is confirmed

COST:  $60.00  (includes workshop, workbook, picnic tea party)

ADVANCED REGISTRATION (on website) / PAYMENT ONLY (thru PayPal)

and for ADDITIONAL INFORMATION GO TO:  https://www.paperarchitect.com

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION/PAYMENT is Wed, SEPT 27 12pm NOON

RECIPE: JULY is BLUEBERRY MONTH

JULY is BLUEBERRY MONTH enjoy our featured recipe

Blueberry Lemon Crepes with Custard Sauce

Recipe courtesy of Melissa d’Arabianc (Food Network)

 

INGREDIENTS

for the Crepes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½  lemon, zested
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

Blueberry Filling*

• 2/3 cup blueberry jam/preserves*
• ½ lemon, juiced

Custard Sauce

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• Pinch of kosher salt
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk

Garnish:  3 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar

DIRECTIONS

To make the crepes

>>Whisk flour, sugar, lemon zest and salt in medium bowl.

>>In a measuring cup, whisk together milk, egg and 1 tablespoon of butter.

>>Slowly whisk egg mixture into the flour mixture until smooth.

>>In a heavy saucepan or crepe pan, lightly brush the pan with a layer of melted butter and heat over medium-high heat.

>>Working quickly, pour in about 3 tablespoons of batter and tilt pan to coat.

>>Cook for 1 – 2 minutes and then flip with a thin metal spatula to finish cooking the other side another minute.

>>Repeat with remaining batter. 

>>Keep crepes warm while preparing the rest of the dessert.

To make blueberry filling* (see alternative recipe below)

>>Heat the jam and lemon juice in a small pan over low heat or microwave until warm and syrupy.

 

To make custard sauce

>>In a small saucepan, whisk the sugar, cornstarch and salt together until well blended.

>>Whisk in the milk and heat until almost boiling.

>>Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

>>Beat egg yolk in a small bowl, then add a couple of tablespoons of the hot milk mixture and whisk to combine.

>>Add the egg mixture back into the milk mixture and whisk to incorporate.

>>Cook over low heat until the sauce begins to thicken (do not boil).

>>Let sauce cool slightly while assembling the crepes.

 

To assemble crepes

>>Spread some blueberry filling/coulis in each crepe and roll up.

>>Spoon a few tablespoons of the custard sauce on each dessert plate and lay 2 crepes on top.

>>Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve.

 

* If you prefer to use fresh blueberries and control the sweetness, you can make a Blueberry Coulis.

The recipe follows . . .  BLUEBERRY COULIS

 INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ cup blueberries (thawed if frozen)

6 tablespoons lemon juice (or water)

1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons agave or maple syrup

DIRECTIONS

>>In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, lemon juice and syrup.

>>Bring to a simmer, cook for 2 minutes.

>>Remove from heat and let cool.

>>The recipe insists that you put on an apron before moving to the next step.

>>Using a blender or an immersion blender, puree the mixture.

>>Add a little more water to thin out if necessary.

>>Taste for proper sweetness and add more syrup if necessary.

 

 TEA PAIRING SELECTIONS

Pair these crepes with a lovely blueberry green tea, lemon ginger herbal tea, or a vanilla flavored black tea.

JOINING HOT TEA MONTH and CHINESE NEW YEAR

This year (2014), National Hot Tea Month and Chinese New Year 

fall on the same month so I am celebrating both events with this recipe for 

CHINESE TEA LEAF EGGS.

CHINESE TEA LEAF EGGS (Chinese New Year recipe)
This recipe combines hard-boiled eggs with the subtle flavor of anise and the deep brown hues of black tea and soy.
The cracked patterns from the broken shells make these quite attractive!
You can eat them sliced in quarters or rounds and chilled as a side dish, appetizer or snack.
Or if you wish to use them to celebrate Hot Tea Month, serve them in tea sandwiches.   

Yield: 8 whole eggs that can be sliced into smaller portions

INGREDIENTS

• 8 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon black soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons black tea leaves
• 2 pods star anise
• 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon tangerine zest

DIRECTIONS

>>In a large saucepan, combine eggs and 1 teaspoon salt; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and cool. When cool, tap eggs with the back of a spoon to crack shells (do not remove shells).

>>In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups water, soy sauce, black soy sauce, salt, tea leaves, star anise, cinnamon stick, & tangerine zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, & simmer for 3 hours. Remove from heat, add eggs, & let steep for at least 8 hours.

TEA PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
Since we are celebrating Chinese New Year, it is only natural you would want to pair these eggs with Chinese teas.   

ART-TEA PARIS TOUR, an invitation ...

     

Love tea?  Love Paris in the Fall?

Would you love to have TEA in PARIS this Fall?

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2013 

SOLD OUT!

please check back for 2014 dates

We have partnered with GO AHEAD TOURS, a major international travel company

to offer you a group travel package of 7 - 9 days in Paris

with the option of exploring the city on your own,

OR

take a 4 day, ART-TEA PARIS WALKING TOUR through us, PAPER ARCHITECT (teapartyworkshop.com and this blog is a subsidiary of PAPER ARCHITECT).

This walking tour will include each day

visiting a museum, a garden and a tea room in a specific area of Paris

where you will learn about the personality of that arrondisment/neighborhood.

We will be limiting this tour to no more than 12 people

to create a more intimate group of visitors to Paris.

GO AHEAD TOURS provides the travel arrangements at a group rate  --

airfare, hotel, shuttles to/from airport, welcome dinner, 

on-site travel assistance in Paris and rewards membership.

Their travel package is called Paris City Stay.

To calculate travel costs and review travel details and policies

visit our site at:  http://paperarchitect.grouptoursite.com/#travel-guide

To learn about our 4 day walking tour, click on:

https://www.paperarchitect.com/ART-TEA_PARIS_TOUR.php

We also have a TRAVEL SOLO TO PARIS blog 

that will post information about the trip and all things Paris.

www.travelsolotoparis.blogspot.com

This is your chance to not only see Paris 

but to share your love of tea with others

who  have the same interests.

Solo travels can be paired for hotel arrangements 

to save on supplemental charges.

You may be traveling solo but you will not be alone.

This could be a life changing experience.

PARIS, TEA, art and atmosphere.

You will see just why this city is so loved

in an intimate setting.

No large tour buses, heavy traffic, 

short, limited visits to lovely places,

rushed from site to site.

This is a more relaxed immersion into the Parisian culture.

A conference call will be scheduled in February 

to present the information on both the GO AHEAD TOUR travel details

and the ART-TEA PARIS WALKING TOUR.

Details will be posted here, 

on the PAPER ARCHITECT website:  

https://www.paperarchitect.com/ART-TEA_PARIS_TOUR.php

and

on the TRAVEL SOLO TO PARIS blog:

www.travelsolotoparis.blogspot.com

This customized tour can create or continue 

a love affair with Paris .... and tea.

Come join us!

National Hot Tea Month - January 2013

January is the perfect month to celebrate National Hot Tea Month.  The weather is cold and a nice hot cup of your favorite tea will warm you right up.  It's a comfort drink.

Tea Time Magazine has a great list of suggestions for enjoying National Hot Tea Month to the fullest.

• Host a tea in your home.  Invite at least one person who has never experienced afternoon tea.
• Give the gift of tea.  Place your favorite tea in a pretty cup, and present it to a friend who isn't an avid tea drinker.
• Try a new flavor, blend or type at least once a week.  To ensure the best taste, pay special attention to the recommended water temperature and infusion time.  (see older post here:  Brewing Times for Tea; 1/27/12)
• Treat yourself to a high-quality tea, such as an oolong.  Although these teas are more expensive ounce for ounce, you can steep the leaves multiple times, making them cheaper cup for cup.
• have a tea tasting.  Prepare three or four teas to sample.  Our staff once tasted different brands of Earl Grey tea.  It was interesting to note the flavor variations.
• Keep a tea journal.  As you try different teas, write down your impressions.  (purchase handcrafted tea journals at our etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/wwwpaperarchitectcom)
• Visit your local tearooms.  If you have even one in your area, you are most fortunate.  Please support it.

To read the full article and find more tea information, go to:
http://www.teatimemagazine.com/content.aspx?id=26487

Have a wonderful month of delicious tea!