Ostara Tea Party Menu

Celebrate the returning warmth and sunshine with a fabulously simple tea!

Now that we are distancing ourselves from winter, and spring can be more fully felt; it is time to get outside!

It’s time to mix things up a bit! Ostara is more than eggs, baby chicks, and fluffy bunnies.

For many years now I have hosted a Magickal Tea Party to celebrate and welcome back the warmth of spring. To be honest I really love tea parties and find every opportunity to have them. Really, I will make an excuse!

Hosting a simple tea adds variety to gathering with friends. Most people will not expect it and that is how I like things.

Hand blended, organic loose leaf teas

I am so excited to break out my tea sets… yes, that is plural. I collect teapots, cups, and the like. This year will be a little different compared to most. We are in the process of moving and most of my tea sets are packed away. Although I like to make things simple from the start, this year will be even simpler than usual.

What? A tea party? Is this chick serious? Yes, I am totally serious. This is not your grandmother’s tea party.

I never throw a stuffy tea party. They are very relaxed. This gathering is meant for spending some fun quality time with your friends. It is time to get to know one another better, and if we get a little rowdy, all the better. It is, after all; springtime. Let’s break out of our winter cocoon and live a little.

BUT…. we are not here to discuss my shenanigans. We are here for the food.

I like to set up my tea outside where my guests and I are comfortable. Making the event simple is the best way to enjoy the occasion. Limit the fuss and stick to the basics: some good quality tea, good food that is easy to prepare & serve, and good company.

The idea is to enjoy the sun whenever possible. It is also about celebrating the season and meaning behind the celebration. This year the spring equinox, aka Ostara is on March 20, 2015. Incidentally, there will be a unique event where we are graced with a New Supermoon and Solar Eclipse. As I see it, this gives us more reason to celebrate as we will be given some very strong energy to work with.

The tea you serve will be up to you. I like a good quality loose leaf black tea, like Assam, Darjeeling, or Ceylon. It depends on what is available and what seems most tasty. Visit your local tea shop to see what they have in stock. You may have a chance to sample some of their own unique tea blends, which always makes my visit to my local tea shop worth my time.

Once you have your tea we need food. Here is the menu I plan to serve, I hope you will enjoy it with me! CHEERS and Happy Ostara!

Ham and Cucumber Salad

Simple and delicious is the theme here.

5 from 1 vote

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Ham and Cucumber Salad

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 6

Author Leandra Witchwood, © 2015, The Magick Kitchen

Ingredients

• 6 ounces Smoked Ham sliced
• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper sliced
• 10 Cherry Tomatoes quartered
• 1 Cucumber sliced
• 6 ounces cheddar cheese cut into strips
• 6 hardboiled eggs
• 1 lemon juiced
• Dill minced
• ¼ cup Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine lemon juice and dill in a med bowl. Drizzle oil into the lemon juice, whisking to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper to taste
2. Arrange remaining ingredients on individual plates in layers to resemble a flower or sun pattern, placing the egg in the middle.
3. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and enjoy

Deviled Eggs

Ostara would not be Ostara without the eggs. This is a simple and delicious recipe you can make for any occasion.

5 from 1 vote

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Deviled Eggs

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6

Author Leandra Witchwood

Ingredients

• 6 hard-cooked eggs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 Shallot finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash pepper
• 2 dill sprigs minced

Instructions

1. Cut eggs in half lengthwise, remove yolks; set aside egg whites and four yolks
2. In a large bowl, mash yolks. Stir in the mayonnaise, vinegar, shallot, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dill, salt and pepper. Pipe yolk mixture into egg whites.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cucumber Finger Sandwiches with Herbed Cream Cheese Spread

I have never been to a tea that didn’t have cute little finger sandwiches. This sandwich is one of my very favorite traditions for Ostara. It is also great for summer gatherings since they are light and refreshing.

5 from 1 vote

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Cucumber Finger Sandwiches with Herbed Cream Cheese Spread

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 6

Author Leandra Witchwood

Ingredients

• 12 slices sourdough bread sliced
• 1 cucumber sliced thin
• 1 cup broccoli sprouts or bean sprouts
• 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
• 1 shallot finely minced
• 1 sprig of dill minced
• 1 garlic clove pressed
• 1 bunch of chives finely minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a stand-up mixer, combine 6 ingredients until smooth.
2. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on one side of each slice of bread.

3. Create 6 sandwiches with 2 slices of bread, cucumber, and sprouts. If you like, you can cut the crusts off the bread once each sandwich is assembled.

4. Serve immediately.

A Classic Fruit Tart

Hands down a good fruit tart is my favorite dessert. They are so fresh and delicious. I love to have them for just about every special occasion. You will want to make this recipe ahead of time so it has time to chill.

5 from 1 vote

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A Classic Fruit Tart

Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes

Servings 6

Author Leandra Witchwood

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar divided
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract divided
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 12 ounces fruit any combination of berries, plums, grapes, etc. slice large piece

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. In a food processor, mix flour, 2 tbsp. sugar, cornstarch, and salt until combined. Add butter and 1/2 tsp. vanilla then pulse until a fine crumbs form and the dough just begins to come together.
3. Press the dough evenly into bottom and sides of a 9-in. round tart pan with a removable rim.
4. Bake until the edges are golden, about 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool on a rack. Once cooled gently push tart crust away from the pan's rim; set on a plate.

5. In a stand-up mixer on high speed, beat sour cream, cream, remaining 2 tbsp. sugar, and remaining 1/2 tsp. vanilla until thick. Spread in cooled crust. Arrange strawberries in circles on top, alternating cut sides down and up.

6. Chill, loosely covered, for about 4 hours.

 I told you it was simple.

I invite your feedback.

Tell me what you think.

I love to know what my readers are up to and how you put the thoughts and experiences shared here to use in your life.

Also, if you have any suggestions on subjects for future posts let me know your thoughts. I’m listening.

Bright Blessing!

Leandra

© 2015, The Magick Kitchen