Tea Parties are a great way to celebrate many occasions specially Feast Days with family and friends. Snacks and finger foods are usually served for tea parties. Dessert can also be served for a sweet touch. If you have an outdoor garden or deck, why not arrange a beautiful table with all the deliciousness. Tea Sandwiches are mini sandwiches made with easy fillings such as Cucumber and Cream Cheese. Homemade Cakes, Cookies and Breads can be prepared a day or two before the party. If you don’t have the time or energy to prepare homemade food, there are easy options such as serving Tea Biscuits, Chips with different dips, Sandwiches with Jam and Spreads, Fruit Salad and so on.
There are many beautiful Marian Feast days like Nativity/Birth of Mary (Sep 8th), Immaculate Conception (Dec 8th), Assumption of Our Lady (August 15th) and so on. Why not celebrate these feast days with some good food? When I spoke to my mother-in-law, she told me about the custom of making Kozhukuttas and taking it to Church on the Feast of the Birth of Mary. Similarly, Pidi and Kozhi curry is made on the feast day of certain saints. Not to forget Pesaha Appam and Paalu made on Holy Thursday. Now even if it isn’t a feast day, birthdays and other celebrations can also be tea parties instead of lunch/dinner.
Here are some foods from my collection which can be served for a Tea Party.
Drinks
- Tea with Milk & Sugar
- Masala Chai (Spiced Tea)
- Chocolate Flavored Cold Coffee
- Lemonade or any juice like Spicy Orange Juice, Watermelon Lemon Cooler
Finger Foods
- Kerala Fish Cutlets
- Kerala Chicken Cutlets
- Easy Tuna Fish Cutlets
- Mini Quinoa Carrot Patties
- Grilled Chicken Kebabs
- Fried Shrimp/Prawns
- Deviled Eggs
Mini Sandwiches
Cakes and Bread
- Vattayappam (Steamed Rice Cake)
- Mutta Kuzhalappam/Madakku San (Coconut Filled Crepes)
- Homemade Wheat Bread served with Butter
- Banana Bread
- Kozhukutta
Healthier Fare
- Chickpea (Kadala) Sundal
- Strawberry Sun-dried Tomato Salad
- Fruit and Vegetable Salad with Indian Spices
- Sweet Corn with Salsa
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables served with a Dip
Sweet Endings