The dynamic duo of 5 Star Makeover, Natasha and Lazaro’s August makeover is a Tea Party.
We leave Greece, where the Olympics originated and make our way to London as we count the medals our Olympians have brought back home.
This makeover brought back sweet memories of my childhood. I remember Daddy taking me on Sundays to the El San Juan Hotel in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico for tea and we would listen to a harpist or at times chamber music. I would be wearing a pretty dress, lace socks, patent leather shoes and that God-awful bow on my head. I hated that bow, but felt so special.
London has a very big Latino community and I came up with the idea of what Latinos would serve at their tea parties. Here is a small menu and a few recipes. Also, I have linked the other recipes for you.
Tea infused Sangria
Pastelillos de Carne, Cuba
Empanadas de Guayaba y Queso – Puerto Rico
Arepa Reina Papiada, Venezuela
This is so easy to make. All you need is about a cup of shredded chicken (breast), one avocado chopped, 1 small diced onion, salt/pepper to taste and a few tablespoons of mayonnaise. Mix and serve with arepas. If you want a good arepa recipe visit Erica – My Colombian Kitchen who I consider to be the Arepa Queen.
Cherry, Honey, Rum Cake – Dominican Republic
Recipe:
Tea infused Sangria:
Two cups of chilled white tea, 15 mint leaves, crushed, 3 sprigs of thyme, 2 cups of Cava. Add your fruits (lemons, strawberries, mango, blueberries and kiwi were used) to tea and when you are ready to serve add the Cava and ice.
Pastelillos de Carne – Cuban Meat Pasties:
Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. chopped beef
1/4 cup sofrito
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
about 20 Spanish olives diced
1 envelope of Sazon Goya
4 sheets puff pastry
egg wash
simple syrup ( I used orange blossom honey)
Instructions:
In a frying pan, add the ground beef, cumin, oregano, sofrito and Sazon Goya, cook for about 10 minutes. Add tomato sauce and diced olives and cook for another 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully evaporated, but the meat is still moist.
Build your pastelillos:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Brush pastry with egg wash. Once they are golden, remove from oven and brush again with simple syrup or honey and return to oven for another few minutes.
CHEERIO AND BUEN PROVECHO!
platanosmangoes.com 
wonderful!!!
Absolutely stunning suggestions and all of them looks so scrumptious and delicious!
Cheers,
Lia.
I would be there with my bow on.
what a tea party! all of those goodies look fantastic, especially that tea-infused sangria 😉
What a glorious round-up of a fabulous event! This is my kind of food–there’s not one dish that doesn’t make me lick my lips. And I love the pastelillos–nice recipe!
Awesome food! I love those empanadas!
What an incredible spread of food! Everything looks delicious, and those little Pastelillos de Carne are adorable!
From Joan – Foodalogue
Now that’s a tea party invitation I’d happily accept! What a fun idea for the challenge and very well presented! My 2 favorites are the pastelitos and the Dominican rum cake. Norma, you did a great job!
That’s what I call a party!
Now this a heck of a post. Bravo. Fantastic sentiment and lovely food. Job well done.
what a delicious culinary journey, I like everything!
Norma, you went all out. Just a wonderful effort. I would be happy to have tea with you anytime.
I agree with Laz. It’s a heck of a post! I had to come back and say that.
What a feast! so many scrumptious savory and sweet treats there, excellent!
Delicioso Norma, qué madnífica hora del té, muy latina…!!!
Great way of including some other LA countries in there! I love that. The tea-infused sangria makes sense to me. I did something similar pero con un jugo! 🙂
Love your Latino English tea twist. that picture of you is too adorable. I could much on those delicious Pastelillos all day.
I adore the idea of a tea party infused with Latin flavors. I think I’d have to try one of everything!
Love the Latin flavors!! Using arepas as “tea sandwiches” is truly brilliant! They are so adorably and festive! I love those empanadas too! Guava and cheese are so good together in empanadas but I’ve never made them myself.
Ooh…I think I’d rather go to your Latino tea party than the typical British one! There are so many good things to eat here including your pasties. And yes, who needs hot tea when you can have it in Sangria? 🙂
I don’t know where to start! I am unfamiliar with this food but gosh it looks amazing. The combination of sweet and savory would make for a perfect afternoon meal… and you’ve made everything for us. I don’t know what I want to try first, but that cherry cake is certainly calling to me…. great job!
You know I adore the idea of bringing international flavors to an established traditional set of dishes, and this is just brilliant. And sangria!! : ) I am particularly drawn to the arepas, as I have a fond food memory of a Venezuelan place in San Juan called Arepas y Mucho Mas … such good stuff there. And it’s gone now. These look every bit as good! Adorable photo, btw.
You were such a cute little girl! A precious picture.
Lovely memories and amazing food! Everything looks ever so good.
Cheers,
Rosa
I love my orange walls!!!! And everything looks delicious! Having tasted your food Norma, I know it is all going to be to die for. I’m salivating. And what wonderful memories from your childhood – you did look cute! Lots of love, to you all and P
What a fabulous tea!All your selections sound delicious and I’m off to look at the recipes. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
What a fun and beautiful post. Everything looks delicious and sounds wonderful. Blessings, Catherine xo
Yum, yum and yummier! Loved the photo, what a cutie you were (and still are!)
These ideas make for a fabulous and elegant tea party while at the same time it’s all comfort food we love! Thanks for the suggestions and recipes. The photographs are beautiful! You never fail to impress dear Norma!
What glorious food! And how cute were you, Norma! 🙂
that’s pretty and awesome…