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Sunday, February 22, 2015

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Chinese New Year, Red Willow Teacup, Glazed Lemon Ginger Scones




Welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!  This edition celebrated the Chinese New year...


This edition celebrated the Chinese New year, which we celebrated last Thursday. The Chinese New Year is the start of the Chinese calendar and is celebrated for a week...this is the Year of the Goat, Ram or Sheep...depends on which authority is consulted....



So...I chose this English ironstone, red transferware teacup...with a design taken from the Chinese...the famous Willow pattern, made by at least 50 different English potteries that I know of...this is unmarked, but I am pretty sure it is by Ridgway, England who didn't always mark their pieces....



and I've put it in a little Chinese New Year vignette....I didn't have an Asian themed tablecloth, but DID have some cherry blossom fabric. The sign, chopsticks and fortune cookies are from a Chinese New Year group luncheon I attended on Thursday...and went without a camera or my phone! The little paper sheep...Sheldon...is a friend who comes out of the closet in spring...and this is his year!




The Willow pattern in all it's myriad variations, was an English view of the Chinese art work and export transferware patterned china imported in the late 18th century. Minton was the first to popularize the pattern, followed by all the important potteries....



Willow comes in many colors with varying names...Willow, Old Willow, Red, Blue and Green Willow, as well as polychrome...or more than one color...versions...all basically have a pagoda, a bridge and 2 birds...this rhyme...one of many...tells the story...


Two big birds flying high
a little ship, passing by
three men standing on the shore,
a willow tree hanging o'er
an idle temple, there it stands
it wasn't built without hands,
an orange tree with oranges on,
and iron railings right along.
author unknown...1798

I used our usual tea table in the sunroom. Because I forgot the camera, I couldn't show you the meal, but it was delicious! We were sent home with little takeaway boxes of fortune cookies. My opened cookie above says:
Determination will get you through this...
okay....


Putting this post together reminded me of a visit we had to Chinatown in Victoria, BC Canad a few years ago when our son and daughter-in-law were with us for a visit....


We wanted Chinese food...if you are in Chinatown that goes without saying! We were directed through the historical Fan Tan Alley, listed as the narrowest true street in Victoria, to Don Mee's restaurant which was fabulous!  That's our kids walking ahead of us.



Don Mee's was on the first floor up and both huge, and packed!




We ordered the dinner for 4 and it was outstanding! I apologize because after these first 2 courses, we were all taking and eating so fast I forgot to take any other photos!  There were leftovers we took back to the room and the kids had them for breakfast!  Ahh to be young again....  But that memory made me look for a Chinese themed tea treat, and I found....these Glazed Lemon-Ginger Scones which look wonderful!



http://rasamalaysia.com/glazed-lemon-ginger-scones/


Glazed Lemon-Ginger Scones Recipe
Adapted from Food and Wine, January 2013
Make 8 scones | Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 20-25 minute

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger
Glaze:
2 cups confectioner (icing) sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Method:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Sieve the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Add in the lemon zest and whisk all ingredients together.
Use a wooden spatula to combine the heavy cream and lemon juice with the dry ingredients in the bowl. Then fold in the candied ginger.
Lightly floured the working surface, knead the dough until it comes together. Make the dough into a ball. Let it rest uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Dust some flour on top and pat it into a 9-inch round disc, about 1/2 inch thick.
Using a floured knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges and arrange them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
Bake the scones for 20-25 minutes, lightly browned on the bottom. Remove from oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to the wire rack to cool completely.
To prepare the glaze, whisk the confectioner sugar and lemon juice until it is smooth. Then drizzle the glaze over the scones and let it stand for 15 minutes before serving.


Thanks so much for joining me for Tuesday Cuppa Tea! The Red Willow is available at Antiques And Teacups...just click on any of the teacup photos for more information.  Below is a list of some of the blog parties I am joining. And the ever present Linky, fo you to link your tea themed post. Pleas, as always, remember it and the comment linky are SSLLLOOOOOOOW...but be patient, it does arrive at last! And I LOVE to see your posts and comments. Have a fabulous week!



27 comments:

  1. Well, you know how I feel about red transferware, Ruth, and I am loving your Red Willow teacups! I have two dinner plates in that pattern. All my other pieces are in blue. A very interesting post and the sheep is too cute. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  2. Your red willow transferware is lovely. I have recently begun collecting a few pieces of the red band noticed some at an antique mall. Unfortunately it was mostly chipped or stained or both. Have a great week.

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  3. I enjoyed your rhyme that you shared on the Willow pattern, Ruth. You never fail to share some helpful history with us. I do love your red transferware and your sheep is an adorable addition to your tea table. The scones sound delicious and would be perfect with a cup of tea. Thank you so much for hosting!

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  4. Hi Ruth: Love the transferware. It is fastly becoming one of my favorite china. What a fun place to have tea. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

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  5. Ah Ruth.... a visit to Chinatown is always a treat. I have been lucky enough to do so in both San Francisco and Philadelphia.

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  6. You are so clever Ruth to use your red transferware for your Chinese New Year table! I look forward to making your scones as I'm a big fan of lemon. Thanks again for hosting!

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  7. I love your red transfer and those scones sure look good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  8. Your transferware is lovely! Sheldon the sheep is so cute! We have a stuffed sheep toy from my childhood that we named "Clarice". Hee! Seeing your yummy meal at Chinatown has me craving Chinese food now.

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  9. Hi Ruth! I love your lunar new year tea! That paper sheep is a perfect touch :) Thanks for the background on the Willow patterns too. The lemon ginger scones look delicious--thanks for the recipe!

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  10. Hi Ruth,
    Your red willow transferware teacups are so lovely and perfect for Chinese New Year. The sheep is so cute and the food looks yummy. Thank you for hosting Tuesday Cuppa Tea! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Karen

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  11. Hi Ruth,

    Your red willow is just gorgeous! A perfect touch for Chinese New Year. May you have a wonderful year filled with much happiness!

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  12. The cherry blossom is the perfect compliment to your dishes! So gorge. The scones (and pictures of food) look and sound delish!

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  13. I have only ever seen blue or red willow pattern so was interested to see that it is also available in green You live and learn.

    Diana

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  14. Good morning, Ruth! This was such a fun post {one of my favorites} :) Your tea time is simply lovely and the food looks so good!

    Thank you, my dear, for sharing at ROI. Have a beautiful day! Hugs!

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  15. What a great post. Those red transferware cups are wonderful. The scones sound delicious as well.

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  16. Ruth, I so love Victoria! Must go back one day. Thank you for the link party. Linked my cucumber sandwiches and am now going to look at what other readers linked.

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  17. I very much like the red willow ware. I have only ever seen one cup & saucer that color & pattern over the years in the many thrift shops and antique stores I've visited. I think you did an excellent version of the Chines New Year celebration and the cherry blossom fabric was a perfect accompaniment. Now I am so hungry for Chinese food !

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  18. Your transferware is absolutely gorgeous!

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  19. Love your blog, love if you share this pretty post of tuesday cuppa tea
    http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/fabulous-friday-party-25/

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  20. Hi Ruth, I love the red willow transferware! I have a few pieces. Perfect pieces for the Chinese New Year. I love going to China town when we visit San Fran and always eat yummy Chinese food. Your scones sound delicious! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  21. Thanks for the beautiful and informative post! I blogged about an early Chinese New Year party the kids and I had a couple weeks ago. My oldest daughter said it was more fun than our own new year! Ha!

    HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
    Blessings,
    Sarah

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  22. I am doing a tea cup post this week, I was featured on HOME TALK and once its done i will submit the post, hopefully your party will still be going, thanks for sharing this on Fab Friday

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  23. This Tea Cup Tuesday post is so much fun and loveliness!!!

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  24. I really like the Red Willow and I must say I have never seen the Red Wllow to buy it. I have some old blue willow .
    It is so pretty to see and makes me want to eat Chinese food now, should I order some? LOL

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  25. Those teacups are very pretty and perfect for your theme.
    Thanks for the recipe too.
    I guess I am too late to join your tea this week.
    Carolyn

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  26. Love to invite you to Fabulous Friday Party to link your beautiful posts
    Thanks Maria
    http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/fabulous-friday-party-26/

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