Ep 10. Traditional Tea-Less Tea Party

Valerie's Home Cooking is a cooking show hosted by the lovely Valerie Bertinelli. In season 7 episode 10, titled Traditional Tea-Less Tea Party, Valerie is hosting a tea party with a twist. As Valerie explains, her guests are a group of friends who don't like tea, but they love the idea of a tea party. So, Valerie is going to serve all the traditional tea party fare, but with her own unique spin.

To start things off, Valerie is making her Lemon Lavender Tartlets. These tiny treats are a perfect bite-sized addition to any tea party. Valerie shows the viewers how to make the crust from scratch, and then fills them with lemon curd and tops them with a dollop of lavender whipped cream.

Next up on the menu is Valerie's Fancy Cucumber Finger Sandwiches. Valerie starts by making a homemade bread with dill and cream cheese baked right into the dough. She then slices and spreads the bread with a creamy spread made from Greek yogurt, garlic, and cucumber. She finishes them off with thin slices of cucumber and fresh dill.

Valerie's third dish is a Classic Spinach Quiche. Valerie says that no tea party is complete without quiche, but her version has a few special touches. Valerie uses a store-bought pie crust to save some time, but then fills it with a mixture of sautéed spinach, onions, and garlic. To make it extra special, Valerie tops the quiche with sliced cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of honey.

For her fourth and final dish, Valerie is making Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits. Valerie says that she couldn't host a tea party without serving something sweet, and these parfaits are perfect. Valerie starts by making a fresh strawberry compote by heating strawberries, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice together in a pot. She then layers the compote with whipped cream and crumbled shortbread cookies to create a beautiful and delicious parfait.

Throughout the episode, Valerie shares her tips and tricks for entertaining at home, including how to set a beautiful table and how to create a welcoming environment for guests. Valerie's easy-to-follow instructions make all the dishes seem doable, even for novice cooks.

In addition to the traditional tea party fare, Valerie also serves her guests a pitcher of her Spiked Berry Tea. This cocktail is made with iced tea, fresh berries, and a touch of vodka, making it the perfect addition to any tea party, even one without tea.

As always, Valerie's warmth and humor shine through in every segment of the show, making it a pleasure to watch. Overall, Traditional Tea-Less Tea Party is a fun and unique episode that showcases Valerie's creativity and skill in the kitchen. Whether you're a tea lover or not, there's something for everyone in this delightful episode.