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Monday, May 14, 2007

A Lemon Tea

Doesn't this just look so fresh for a Summer tea?
Villeroy & Boch's fresh china pattern, "French Garden Fleurence", is the inspiration for this "Lemon Tea Table" -- with a simple and easy centerpiece you can put together in only one minute. Here the china colors of yellow, green, and white (accented with blue and pink), are used to create a pretty setting for a summer tea party. A tablecloth in white or green will show off this china to best advantage. No big flower arrangement here. Instead, a platter of lemons is placed in the center of the table. A few leaves are added for color, for a beautiful centerpiece in about one minute. Other fruits that would look pretty include oranges, apples, pears, and peaches. Pick up the fruit color in your napkins and candles (here in a pretty lemon yellow). If you prefer flowers for the table, some good choices would include yellow roses, mini-carnations, daffodils, daisies, green hydrangea blooms, yellow freesia.... With a themed table setting like this one, the food could easily be coordinated into the theme. For example, the menu for this lemon theme table might include lemon tarts, lemon bars, or lemon meringue pie. Platter garnishes could be lemon slices or wedges set on fresh green leaves. Use your imagination to incorporate colors, themes, and menu choices to create a memorable tea party of your own.
~East Lemon Bars~
Ingredients: 2 sticks (8 ounces) butter 2 cups flour 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 4 beaten eggs 2 cups sugar 4 tablespoons flour 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel sifted confectioners' sugar

PREPARATION: Heat oven to 325°. Blend butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Pat into ungreased 13x9x2-inch pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. For filling, blend together eggs, sugar, 4 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, and lemon peel.
Pour over first layer. Return to oven and bake at 325° for 20 minutes. Loosen around edges, cut into bars and sift confectioners' sugar over the top while warm.
~Lemon Cookies~
INGREDIENTS: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda dash of salt 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup (6 ounces) butter, room temperature 1 large egg 1/4 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel
PREPARATION: In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together 1 cup of the sugar with the butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, lemon juice and zest, then gradually blend in the flour mixture. Form the dough into 2 rolls about 2 inches wide and 7 inches long. Wrap the rolls in waxed paper and refrigerate until firm, about an hour. Preheat the oven to 375°.Unwrap the cookie dough and cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle slices lightly with remaining sugar and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned around the edges, about 12 minutes. Cool the cookies on a rack and store in an airtight container.Makes about 5 to 6 dozen lemon icebox cookies.

Summer will be here before we know it!

26 comments:

Carole Burant said...

What a delightful set of dishes!! It certainly does look very summery and would look very nice on my patio table! hehe Those recipes sound so gooooood too. Now I'm thirsty for fresh lemonade!!! You asked me in a comment where I got the faerie door...I bought it on ebay:-) The picture I showed on my blog is not the one I have, I just wanted to show everyone a sample of one. The one I bought is on its way and I will take a picture of it once it arrives:-) xoxo

Valerie said...

i love lemons. growing up, there was a lemon tree in our backyard and i lived for picking those bad boys and making lemonade.

now i wish i had 'em to make lemon bars.

Jolene George said...

I love lemonade and lemon flavored desserts. They are so light and refreshing and have a wonderful summery feel.

Ginny Gibson said...

Just catching up with you.

What a beautiful piece of creative writing in the previous post. Did you write it yourself? I hope you and Grace shared a wonderful Mothers Day:))

Now I'm off to make lemon cake!

best wishes Ginny

Jill LaFaye said...

Ooohh..I love the lemon pattern! Thanks for the recipes! & thank you so much for the kind words when I was having a sad night.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Love the china and the recipes.

My husband enjoys any dessert with lemon in it.

Susie said...

We love lemons here! My Meyer lemon tree is loaded and I can't wait till I have some ready to use :)

Betty Jo said...

How gorgeous! I so love lemon and your ideas for a lemon tea are wonderful. Thanks for the yummy recipe too. I would have to have Lemon Tea Bread as well. My mouth is watering just thinking of something with lemon. I'll have to bake soon and share on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration. xoxo

PAT said...

I love those dishes!! My name is Pat and I'm a dishaholic!!

The recipe sounds yummy!

Pat
Back Porch Musings

TO BECOME said...

That look and sounds like so much fun. I love the tea service. My husband is going to buy me one for my birthday that is coming up. It is so hard to deside which one. I am having fun thinking about it though. connie from Texas

Mary L. Briggs said...

Yum--I love lemon almost as much as chocolate! Thanks for the recipes and the china is great!

Missy Glave said...

This sounds like such a fresh and fun idea ...

Sugar Bear said...

Oh I just love, love, love lemons! They are so bright and they always bring a smile to my face. Not to mention they are so yummy!
Karla

Jada said...

MMM lemon cookies!!I am going to have to make some of those.

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

I just 2 days ago told G I wanted his Mom's recipe for Lemon Bars...I've been craving them and look it here...you provided a recipe! Were you reading my mind again? LOL!
We had a lemon tree for years, the sweetest best lemons on the planet. Then we reconfigured the yard to move the driveway and it came out...guess what, the driveway still isn't poured and I miss that tree like it was a pet. :(
That table setting is oh so lovely....let's have a tea party shall we?
XOXO

smilnsigh said...

Mmmm... Lemon recipes. I love such.

But every time I read of people enjoying tea, I wish I was among them. But somehow, I've never been able to develop the taste for tea.

I love tea cups and all that goes with it. But... -sigh-

Especially enjoy your next cup of tea, for me.

Mari-Nanci

TK Angels said...

I also like lemons and my lemonade pie. Umm -now that sounds like something I will have to make soon along with the lemon bars.

Love to all.
Take Care,
Terri

Cheryl Wray said...

I LOVE lemon bars.They are a perfect summer treat!!
I love lemons, and also limes. Last night I made a big pitcher of homemade limeade and it was SO good!

Sheila said...

Lemon is the best flavour for summer desserts!
I beet these taste yummy, and the china is so pretty. An apple green cloth I think, and it would look fabulous on my patio set..!
Hugs
xx

Sheila said...

They sound delicious! I'm going to have to try them! Lemon "anything" is a favorite around here!

Brown English Muffin said...

I've only ever bought one thing from Villeroy & Boch and it was because it was on SALE!!!

I love their stuff but I'll have to wait until the little one is in college to even think about buying some unless I like it all broken!!!

So question, do you make all of the recipes that you post? Just curious...the lemon bars sound yummy...I always intend on making some of the things you post but by the time I get home I barely have the energy to dial the phone number to the local chinese restaurant!

Sue Seibert said...

The table setting is glorious! And the recipes. Can't wait to try them. Yum!

Southern Heart said...

I just love that china pattern! I agree that it's so pretty on its own that a simple centerpiece is a great addition. The recipe sounds wonderful...lemon is one of my favorite flavorings!

Andi said...

What a lovely table setting! I love yellow and the bowl of lemons or fruit as a centerpiece is delightful.

Your lemon bar recipe sounds yummy! I may just have to whip up a batch!

The French Nest said...

Love, love, love lemons, especially during the summer. They are just so fresh and delightful! I'll be sure to try this recipe out, it loks delicious!

Gretchen said...

What a lovely ladies tea...