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To London, to London...

As many of you know, in 2009 our not-so-little family packed up and headed across the pond, where we spent the next eight years living in London.

Even though we've been back stateside for nearly 10 years, there are still funny little things we say and do because of those years abroad. Today’s Best Bites is centered around one tradition we brought home with us and still use to this day: Children’s Tea.

What's Children's Tea?

When I first heard the term, I was genuinely puzzled. Tea? For children? Right before bedtime? Yikes!

Well, it didn't take long to figure out that 'Children's Tea' has absolutely nothing to do with the hot drink. It's an early, simple dinner for the small people: think bangers and mash, cod goujons, chicken tenders and chips etc allowing the adults a later (and calmer!) meal post kid bedtime. And for us, that made perfect sense!

Life in London often meant long workdays and late commutes, while our little ones were ready for dinner around 5:30 and bed not long after. So we quickly settled into the rhythm of feeding the kids early.

But here's where today's 'recipe that's not a recipe' comes in: Children's Tea paired with a hearty cheeseboard completely changed the way we entertained!

With all those littles life was WILD and elaborate dinner parties were most definitely not happening. Instead, we started inviting friends over around 4 or 4:30 for 'Children's Tea'. The children would eat their simple supper around 5 and then head off to play or watch a movie.

And the grown-ups??

I’d throw together a big, generous cheeseboard, open something fun to drink and let everyone graze.

That's. It.

By 8 or 8:30, everyone headed home. The kids were fed and ready for bed, and the adults had usually grazed enough that no one needed a proper dinner. Well... except perhaps my husband. But that’s what leftovers are for 😉

I love how this little discovery dramatically lowered the bar for inviting people over in a season of life when it otherwise wouldn't have happened.

No meal to coordinate.
No setting the table.
No mountain of pots and pans at the end of the night.

Instead? A beautiful spread, great company and a delightfully relaxing evening for everyone. Although our littles are mostly all grown up it's still one of my favorite ways to gather people.

So like I said, today's Best Bites isn't' really a recipe. It's an idea I've been passing along ever since we left London nearly a decade ago. We've shared the concept with so many friends since moving back to the US and every one of them has called it...BRILLIANT!

So, consider this your official invitation to send an invitation. You don't need a full dinner to gather people around your table. You just need a little inspiration for a fabulous cheeseboard!

Start Here: How to Create a Great Cheeseboard

For the Overachievers....

But....I know there are some overachievers amongst this crowd:) So, if you'd like to take it up a notch, here are a few Café favorites that are absolutely wonderful alongside a cheeseboard (although I'll be the first to say store-bought chutneys are also delicious these days, so no pressure!):

Caramelized Fig Jam with Honey and Pears Get the Recipe

Ridiculously Easy Maple Glazed Roasted Almonds Get the Recipe

Ridiculously Easy Slow Cooked Apple Butter Get the Recipe

Balsamic Sweet Cherry Preserves Get the Recipe

Lemon Rosemary Flatbread Crackers Get the Recipe

Copycat Rosemary Pecan Raincoast Crackers Get the Recipe

Of course, I'd love to know if 'children's tea' becomes a regular at your house! As always, just hit 'reply' 🤍

Much love from Asheville,

​Cait​

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Welcome to The Café! We’re Chris and Scott, part of a family team sharing easy, elegant, well-tested recipes since 2011. Our mission is simple: to help you feel confident, inspired, and successful in the kitchen, so you can enjoy delicious food and the joy of gathering family and friends around the table!

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