A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of again visiting the most delicious book club ever: The Tanta
lizing Ladies Tea–A Christian Book Coterie. Kristine, Judy, Beverly, Phyllis, Tiffany, Sherri, and Becky have kindly invited me to join them over the last few years when I’ve had a new book come out. Up this year was The Secret of Pembrooke Park, and this time the Ladies made it even more fun by inviting friend and fellow Regency author, Michelle Griep to join us to discuss her new book as well, Brentwood’s Ward. I have to admit we didn’t discuss the books in great detail, but we sure had a good time. Lots of laughter, girl-talk, and ohhing and ahhing over a spread of deliciousness that my taste-buds still remember fondly. These women can cook!
Since I imagine many of us here at Inspired by Life…and Fiction appreciate books and food, I thought I’d share a couple of photos and links to a few recipes.
We had pots of good tea, of course, served in our choice of cups from hostess Kristine’s collection. After a first course of smoky chicken and bean soup (so good), we then passed trays of:
Egg Salad in Phyllo Cups (Savory and tasty)
Veggie-Quinoa Salad in Lemon Halves (Fresh and Healthy)
Cucumber-Feta Canapes (Cucumber sandwiches with feta, lemon aioli, zest, and salt)
Strawberry-Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches (Satisfying and delicious)
Broccoli Salad Roulades (Broccoli yummy-ness)
Vanilla Bean Scones with Spiced Pears (Mm, Mm, Mm)
Soft Almond Sugar Cookies (Amazing!)
Earl Grey Truffles (Tea and dark chocolate. Oh yeah…)
& Fresh fruit
Ok, now that I’ve made us all hungry, let me ask: Do you belong to a book club? Is it “delicious” in its own way—in tasty conversation if not treats? Which menu item above appeals to you the most?
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Wow, this book club goes all out! Some amazing looking food, and I love the hats too!
I was part of a book club before we moved (I miss it!) and we served refreshments, though nothing as fancy as the group you shared! But we did always try to serve something that had been eaten or mentioned in the book we were discussing. It made us realize what a huge role FOOD plays in our lives. Almost every novel we read had scenes revolving around food, and more than a few novels even included recipes.
Thanks, Deb. Yes, my life revolves around food perhaps a little too much! 🙂 but there’s nothing like sharing a good meal with friends or family. Good idea to choose the refreshments based on something from the book being discussed!
I am a member of a book club! The strawberry-chicken salad tea sandwiches sounds yummy!
They were, Sheila! Here’s Kristine’s recipe, in case you’d like it (I couldn’t fit them all above.)
Strawberry-Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
12 slices firm sandwich bread (whatever kind of bread you would like)
2-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped strawberries
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 – 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained and chopped
1 recipe poppy seed dressing
Using a 2-1/4″ square cutter, cut 2 square from each bread slice. Cover with damp paper towels, or store in a resealable plastic bag to keep from drying out. Set aside. (I think you could just cut these into triangles if you want). In large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir to blend. Refrigerate, covered approximately 4 hours. Place approx. 3 tbsp. chicken salad on a bread square. Top with another bread square. Garnish with a strawberry slice, if you’d like.
Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 cup mayo
1 tbsp. champagne or white balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. poppy seeds
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
Combine ingredients and whisk to blend.
I wonder if the women of the The Tantalizing Ladies Tea–A Christian Book Coterie would consent to have me as a guest sometime?!!! I’d be glad to wear a hat and discuss my life long fondness for Regency romances. 😉
What a fabulous group! The food looks and sounds amazing.
They are fabulous, Becky. And I’m sure they’d be happy to host you–though California is a long way from Minnesota! Maybe if you’re visiting BHP someday…? (They read Christian novels in all genres.)
Becky Wade, we would LOVE to have you join us sometime. We’ve already read at least one of your books. If you ever plan to be in the Minneapolis area, please let us know.
For most book club meetings we have simple snacks with our tea.
When we have authors join us, we like to go all out. Christian authors work diligently to give us worthwhile reading pleasure. We like to honor authors at our table.
Please come.
Yes, Becky Wade, you would be more than welcome to join us if you are in the Minneapolis area. We would love to have you!
What a marvelous spread, Julie! An so elegant with all that fancy china. I love it! I can’t think of anything more perfect for a pair of Regency authors. High tea and books – what could be better. 🙂
Hi Karen. Yes, I’ve been so blessed each time I’ve attended. And the high tea is the perfect spread for us. (Though these ladies enjoy tea year round, I believe.) P.S. Another book club, through my church, is reading Stealing the Preacher for it’s next meeting. Fun to say I know you! 🙂
Cool! Hope they enjoy it. 🙂
Vanilla Bean Scones sound wonderful to me!
I lead a book club at my church. We have about 8 to 10 every month. We are now reading I Would Know You Anywhere. It is a bit creepy, but I know it will have us discussing some pretty important issues.
Thanks, Pat. Glad to hear you have a book club at your church. Sounds great.
Julie, those scones sound delightful! I’m glad you had a wonderful time. Sounds like you have a standing invitation to join the Ladies as often as you want. How cool is that?
Blessings,
Andrea
Very cool, indeed, Andrea. I am blessed to call those ladies friends!
I am not in a book club. Yesterday when I finished reading your book, Lady of Milkweed Manor, I thought “wish I was in a book club for this one.” Wow, that was a fantastic book….loved it. I am on a mission now to read more of your books!!
The food sounds delicious!
Thanks, Jackie! And yes, Lady of Milkweed Manor has been very popular with book clubs. Glad you loved it.
Sounds like a delightful time, Julie. And I’m practically drooling right now thinking of those almond cookies – – YUM!!
Actually everything you listed sounds so delicious. What a fun idea – – makes me want to start a book club! 🙂
What fun, Julie! I visited a book club once who always made food that was themed to the book they had read. Too bad my book took place in the south during the Civil War when food was scarce and everyone was starving! Ha! We still had fun, though–but nothing like your tea. Wow!
Lynn Austin, if you are ever in the Minneapolis area, the Tantalizing Ladies Tea would love to have you for tea! We have read several of your books as a group. I giggled my way through “A Proper Pursuit” and shed some tears through “Gods and Kings”. The most recent one I’ve read is “Wings of Refuge”. Though I haven’t read my way through all of your books yet, I’ve made a good dent in my pile and have enjoyed all of the ones I have read so far.