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There is something about multiple tiered tray stands with scrumptious goodies and a bottomless teapot that always satiates both the chef and party planner in me. Tea parties are typically my go-to when throwing a baby or wedding shower or when I want to host a classy, stay-in afternoon gathering for my girlfriends.
I love tea and a good tea party. When I say tea I specifically mean masala chai and by party I mean a version that strays from the traditional Victorian type—you know, with the floral as eff tablescapes, urns, and antique serving dishes with dainty little scones, cakes, and crustless sandwiches which always leaving me hungry. Tea parties do not have to be so, shall we say, delicate. Desi it up with a whole lot of color and masala!
Editor-in-chief Anjum Chaudhry Nayyar of Masala Mommas cleverly refers to chai gatherings as “High Chai” a term she learned from her desi friends in England.
“High Tea is one of the oldest traditions and rooted in the British tradition of high tea which began in the mid-1700s” Nayyar explained. “Many of us also know the South Asian tradition of ‘chah’ or chai, a ritual where one person welcomes another with a cup of tea and food all over some conversation. Now imagine bringing the two together! A high chai or high tea ‘Indian-style’ can be done at home or as an event at a venue.”
Nayyer offers creative suggestions in how to bling out your High Chai complete with using small kid’s bangles as napkin rings, Indian-inspired teapots, and silky, saree like table runners! To get tips and ideas for décor, visit Masala Mommas!
Now, time to plan the menu! But first, if you venture to throw a chai party, you better deliver on some very tasty chai! Here is our house recipe for masala chai, which serves 4 but can easily be multiplied to accommodate more.
Serves 4
Place water, milk, and all the masalas in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, and add tea. Steep for 2 minutes—then strain out leaves and masalas.
We encourage you to offer a spread of both savory and sweet dishes as both pair beautifully with masala chai and provide your guests with something more substantial than an array of petit fours—you know, we Indians love to eat! Remember to serve biscuits, Bombay mix, and chakli, all dry items easily sourced from your desi market!. Don’t forget the Parle-G!
Now for the homemade goodies! To save you time, we have created a menu to recipes straight from the files of our India.com archives!
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