How to Dirty Lots of Dishes

I hosted Christmas Day High Tea yesterday. Holiday events for my family are generally very casual, buffet-style meals, plates loaded with everyone's favorite delicious dishes and kids plopped in front of the TV. But, for reasons ranging from my own expanding waistline to my father's recent illness, I wanted to focus the event on family togetherness--enforced or not.

The tea party was a great success in this regard--my guests enjoyed visiting with the people at their tables (unfortunately, I have a house-of-small-rooms, so there isn't anywhere we can all sit together), and my oldest daughter led us in a rousing game of Victorian Steampunk Tea Party Trivia as the maid (oh, wait, that's me, isn't it?) cleared the tables. Lots of good-spirited competition there.

My tea party was resplendent with china, silver, cloth napkins, fancy centerpieces, etc. Not only did I dig out my own good china (service for 8), I went to the thrift store and bought more. That would be one of the first features to go in the casual partying most of us are used to. And I agree, the people are more important than the plates, and saving the already-overworked host or hostess some time is vital. But once in a while, the nice things are . . . well. . . nice.

I was reading this morning about accoutrement of religious ritual. I thought about attending Christmas morning mass, then coming home to set up my tea party. So many pretty objects! They are just that, pretty objects, until they're dedicated to a higher purpose: honoring God and focusing the worship of the people or honoring my folks and focusing us on each other. I think it was worth an other hour or two washing dishes last night.

But what did we have to eat? Here's the recipes for the finger sandwiches:

Black Olive Spread on Sourdough
Purchased sourdough sandwich bread (1 loaf) I used Pepperidge Farm
1 15-16 oz can of pitted black olives, drained
1 8 oz pack cream cheese at room temperature, cut in chunks
cream or half and half

Chop the can of drained olives in the food processor. Add the cream cheese, process, adding a little cream as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Cheddar Cheese and Sundried Tomato on Dark Herb Bread
Dark Herb Bread (recipe to follow in this blog, or use your own favorite)
1 cup sundried tomatos (soften in hot water if they are not packed as "ready to serve")
1 and 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup cream cheese, room temp
cream or half and half

Process the tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese in the food processor, adding cream as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.

To keep your sandwiches fresh for storing in the fridge until tea time, thinly butter both sides of the bread, then spread with the sandwich filling. Cut off the crusts. Cut the sandwiches into halves or quarters. Store in an airtight container, placing a piece of wax paper between each layer.


Tea Party, part two,next time.