Afternoon Interlude
KINDLING HOSPITALITY
A fireplace aglow extends a warm welcome to guests enticed by the scent of freshly brewed java and scratch-baked eats swirling through the air of a dining room swathed in cool, wintry hues. A layered place setting reprises the frosty palette outdoors. Metallic-trimmed place mats complement the setup. Hushed tones in a centerpiece of roses, Brunia, dusty miller, sea holly, and pepperberry lend nuance tothe tablescape.
ROBUST TREATS
For an indulgence as fun to watch as it is to drink, serve chocolate morsels chock-full of espresso powder with clear mugs of hot milk. Look on with anticipation as the candies melt, and with a stir, result in a rich, creamy concoction. Cinnamon-Ginger Lattes offer another flavorful option that pairs beautifully with a spread of afternoon bites. Savories include mixed nuts roasted with citrus and rosemary and tartines topped with whipped cream cheese, prosciutto, and asparagus. Caramel-drizzled cookies and dainty Raspberry and Pistachio Financiers accompany white chocolate-cherry bark, sprinkled with rose petals and pink salt, for an assortment of confections that makes lingering even sweeter.
Cinnamon-Ginger Latte
MAKES 6 SERVINGS
6 cups
