Hello, darlings!
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Well, I say! what a wonderful start to the festive season, as Miss Windsor hosted a glittering “soiree” at the one and only – The Ritz London, Piccadilly! Where I dined and caroused my delightful compeers with the Christmas themed afternoon tea – famously known as “Tea at the Ritz”.

Darlings, before I tell you all about my festive afternoon tea experience, which includes an unfortunate misadventure of being incarcerated inside a beautifully decorated toilet cubical! I wish to fortify your mind with some fascinating and historical facts about The Ritz London.

The Ritz London, created by the Swiss hotelier – Cesar Ritz, swung open its doors on the 24th May 1906. This stupendous Grade II listed building was built in the Franco-American style, and oozes the traditional architecture of Paris – Ooh, la, la!

​It’s luxurious and “ritzy” interior was designed in the Louis XVI style, and no doubt satisfied the extravagant taste of London’s high society and beyond, thus being hailed as one of the world’s most magnificent and best-known hotels.

This world-renown hotel was a favourite haunt for patrons such as The Prince of Wales (future King Edward VII) who once quoted, “Where Ritz goes, I go!”. Also, Hollywood star Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, English playwright Sir Noel Coward (who wrote Children of The Ritz – at The Ritz London!), Jackie Onassis, Sir Roger Moore, HM Queen Elizabeth II – Oh, and her royal counterpart – Miss Windsor!
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Now darlings, due to my party arriving a touch early, I headed straight for The Rivoli Bar (cocktail lounge) for a pre-afternoon tea drinkie, where I thoroughly enjoyed a cocktail – the decadent – 1906. Indeed, this served as the perfect foundation for Miss Windsor’s champagne lavished afternoon tea.

Moving onto the Palm Court – an extremely grand room luxuriously decorated in the Louis XVI style. Mirrored panels, gold gilding and a dash of blush pink bedeck the walls and ceiling. Marble columns welcome you to be seated, and at this time of year, they’re dazzling with red and gold decorations, plus the added curiosity of garlands made from Royal Worcester bone china cups and saucers!

Now feeling rather peckish and a smitch thirsty, I ordered the afternoon tea goodies including a pot of The Ritz Christmas Spice Tea. Oh, plus a couple of flutes of Reserve Ritz Champagne Barons De Rothschild – only the best will do for Miss Windsor!

​The champagne arrived promptly, soon followed by the tea, along with the expected paraphernalia which one presumes was made of REAL silver! Darlings, what a frightfully traumatic experience it would’ve turned out to be if Miss Windsor once again faced her “aversion” to stainless steel!

I was thrilled when our afternoon tea pageantry arrived – tiers of sandwiches and cakes presented on a silver stand graced the Royal Worchester plates. The scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream appeared soon after. And I must admit my favourite finger sandwich was the ham with grain mustard mayonnaise on sliced brioche – heaven on earth.

Then between alternate sips of tea and champagne, whilst listening to the harmonious choir serenade us with Christmas classics, I managed to devour two freshly baked, dove-feather soft scones – one of which was a rather fruity sort! Both slathered with a thick, velvety layer of Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream, followed by a generous dollop of Tiptree strawberry jam.

However, Miss Windsor was bitterly disappointed with her slice of Christmas Cake. It was dry, crumbly and tasted a tad gingery, yet it lacked the warm and festive flavour of mixed spice; and thank goodness there were no plastic-like glace cherries in sight! Instead, one expected to nibble on succulent pieces of sultanas, raisins and currants, but sadly these seldom made an appearance in this festive classic.

Darlings, now feeling stuffed like a turkey, I galloped along to the entrance of the ladies powder room (translation: restroom) and clung onto the brass railings as I hurried down the red-carpeted stairs.

​One found oneself in a glamorous seating area tastefully decorated with baby doll pink wooden panelled walls, plus the added charm of pink marble-topped tables and basins. Also, a “Thulian” pink, silk-covered sofa sat perfectly perched in front of a hand-painted mural of a water-themed Grecian paradise.

So, I quickly flew into the nearest cubical and powdered one’s nose – of course! Once perfectly powdered I tried to open the door, but to my surprise, it wouldn’t open. On closer inspection, I realised a couple of screws were hanging from the door handle – Oh, dearie me!

Darlings, Miss Windsor is known to carry many things in her handbag, but not the likes of a screwdriver! Now, consumed with panic I wished to be liberated, therefore, I reached for my trusty mobile phone and attempted to call reception, but there was no signal – eek!

By this time, I had a vision of spending the night incarcerated in my very own “suite” at The Ritz London, albeit it was a beautifully decorated toilet cubical. Now eager to return to my party there was one more option left, so with a clenched fist I forcefully banged the door and shouted, “Hello, hello – anyone there?”. Eventually, after a few minutes of intense banging a fellow patron came to my rescue, and like a miracle, the door flung open – ​phew!

Indeed, I reported my unexpected sufferance to the reception, and was immediately showered with a profusion of apologies. Nevertheless, Miss Windsor had a wonderful time at The Ritz London, and shall certainly return soon to plough my way through the cocktail menu – starting with the Iron Lady!

Please click on the image below, for Miss Windsor’s spiffing article about Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz, London!

​Cheerio for now,

Miss Windsor x

The post Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz London! appeared first on Miss Windsor's Delectables.

Hello, darlings!

Following the joys of Stir-Up Sunday I’ve surprisingly woken up bright and early, but I wonder what you’re up to?

Maybe you’re still in the land of nod, nestled within the warm layers of your soft, brushed, cotton duvet – How blissful! Or possibly I’ve startled you from your sleep and now you’re walking like a zombie towards the kettle – definitely time for a cuppa! Either way, I’m going to tell you all about Mrs Beeton’s Traditional British Christmas Pudding – which I recreated, of course, with a bit of a Miss Windsor twist!

Darlings, but before I proceed, I do wonder if you know what Stir-Up Sunday actually is? “Hmm, please do tell Miss Windsor,” I hear you grunt from deep within your bedclothes!

You see, following a Victorian yet religious tradition one should make their Christmas pudding on the last Sunday before Advent begins. It’s a special time when family gather together and take it in turns to stir the pudding mixture, whilst making a wish for the year ahead. Traditionally charms were added such as a silver coin which represents wealth – now, isn’t that spiffing!

To be honest, darlings, I’m feeling rather exhilarated, yet a touch drowsy following the Stir-Up Sunday kitchen merriment! Therefore, as I sit perched staring at the London skyline, whilst supping on Twining’s Christmas Blend Tea from my favourite dainty teacup, I’m shocked to observe the cruelty of the British weather, which rather dampens the festive spirit – do you agree?

The relentless rain coupled with the blustery wind that swirls angrily between the gangly trees – Oh, what a glorious morning! One can only surmise that Miss Windsor stirred the pudding mixture so vigorously, unaware that she’d actually “cooked up” more than a culinary storm!

So, in a fraught attempt to restore the spirit of Christmas – I have succumbed to the tried and tested method of music. In this case, I will perform a sing-a-long to the high-spirited carol of We Wish You a Merry Christmas! One would say it’s quite an appropriate choice, considering it contains the following line, “Oh, bring us a Figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer!” – well, in Miss Windsor’s case a teacup of Twinings Christmas Blend Tea!
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However, according to my research, some oddly believe that the American term – figgy pudding – is a kind of soufflé or just another name for Christmas pudding. Nevertheless, it’s a steamed, spicy, fruity kinda pudding come cake, that can be made with “figs” or any other dried fruit that has been lavishly drenched in alcohol.

Now, a little bit of history about the world-famous Christmas pudding. It originates from England and began life in the 14th century as a pottage called “frumenty”, which was a kind of broth type soup made with beef/mutton, wine, spice, and fruit. Then it evolved over the years until the Victorians referred to it as plum pudding, or by the common title of Christmas pudding. Please note plums refer to raisins or any kind of dried fruit.
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Darlings, now onto Mrs Beeton’s delightful recipe – made with chopped beef suet, spices, rum or brandy, desiccated coconut, breadcrumbs, mixed peel, milk, and so on, which I merrily recreated with an extra special “twist” – How fancy!

So, I jazzed up my version by roughly chopping the dried fruit, then soaking it for a week (few days will suffice) in dark Lambs Navy Rum. Then I added dark brown sugar – in fact, Mrs Beeton’s recipe called for no sugar at all!

I also opted for brown breadcrumbs instead of white. You see, I believe all these additions actually deepen the colour, and prevents your pudding from looking rather “anaemic”!

Now, before you have a good ol’ go at recreating this heavenly pud, Miss Windsor suggests that you make two generous sized puddings, instead of an extra-large one – as previously recommended by Mrs Beeton – which would certainly feed a family of ten!

Therefore, serve one this year, then having spoon-fed your second pud with dark rum or brandy all year round, it will have matured by intensifying the flavours, thus improving the texture in readiness for your next festive knees-up!

Darlings, here’s the link to my version of Mrs Beeton’s Traditional British Christmas Pudding! 
​Or why not tune in to Miss Windsor’s YouTube channel for a chucklesome “one-to-one” tutorial, and learn how to make your very own Christmas pudding from scratch!

Enjoy with a drop or two of brandy butter, thick cream or custard!

Miss Windsor x

The post The History of Stir-Up Sunday & The Christmas Pudding! appeared first on Miss Windsor's Delectables.