Tea Party...

I'm not the biggest fan of television shows...I actually don't even have cable. Though I do have outdated "rabbit ears" and of course one of the only channels I get is PBS...which I happen to adore. My absolute favorite show (besides the Great British Baking Show) is Downton Abbey. So in honor of the start of the final season, I decided to throw a little tea party...On The Menu...Raspberry Rose Hip Jam Scones with Grapefruit CurdTea Toasts:Cucumber + Calendula RicottaRaspberry Rose Hip Jam + Edible PansiesRaspberry Rose Hip Jam SconesMakes about six sconesIngredients:1 cup organic all-purpose flour (+ extra 2-3 tablespoons when rolling out the dough)2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon rose salt3 tablespoons organic sugar (+ extra for sprinkling)2 tablespoons raw or organic unsalted butter1 tablespoon organic coconut oil1/2 cup organic cream1 small organic egg, beaten (or you can whisk and use half of 1 large egg)3 tablespoons Raspberry Rose Hip Jam (or you can of course use store-bought raspberry jam)Directions:Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the butter and coconut oil using your hands. Mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine the cream and the beaten egg (only use 1/2 of the egg if you are using a large egg). Add the egg + cream mixture to the dry ingredients. Fold in jam. Turn dough out onto a heavily floured surface. Sprinkle top with more flour. Roll dough out and cut into rounds. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake on a lightly buttered baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve fresh out of the oven with grapefruit curd (recipe below).Grapefruit CurdIngredients:3 tablespoons organic sugar2 large organic eggs plus 3 eggs yolksJuice and grated zest of 1 organic pink grapefruitJuice and grated zest of 1/2 organic lemon5 tablespoons raw or organic unsalted butterDirections:In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the sugar, whole eggs and yolks, juice and zest. Cook stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the butter and whisk vigorously until you have a nice thick sauce. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about one week.Tea ToastsIngredients:6 thin slices of sourdough bread, lightly toasted6 slices of peeled, organic cucumber1/4 cup calendula ricottaRaspberry Rose Hip Jam (again you can use store bought raspberry jam)Handful of organic, edible pansiesDirections:Simply assemble the toasts...for the cucumber toasts, spread a generous helping of calendula ricotta atop the lightly toasted bread. Top with cucumbers and a touch of salt. For the jam + pansy toasts, simply butter each lightly toasted slice if you please, then spread a touch of raspberry jam atop and sprinkle with edible pansy petals.If you are looking for a delicious beverage to serve at your tea party, you'll love my Chamomile Hot Toddy or you can always serve good old-fashioned tea, of course...Recipes + Photography by Cassie WinslowGrapefruit Curd Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart