Will Torrent's "Afternoon Tea at Home"

Having pretty much run out of bookshelf space at my house, I've taken to getting more books in eBook version and reading them on my Kindle. But recently I found myself lusting over a new book I saw on my friend Linda's blog, so I used some leftover Amazon gift card credits to purchase the lovely "Afternoon Tea at Home" by Will Torrent.

Torrent is a pastry chef in London, and as I've learned on trips there, the Brits take their pastries very, very seriously. I go into my little grocery store bakery now and just sigh. Croissants. Doughnuts. Crullers. The usual. Not in this book! How can you not look at one of these "Fruited Scones" from The Ritz London and not want to immediately slather one or two in clotted cream and go to town? (I do hope photographer Matt Russell is happy with himself for all the calories that will be consumed across the globe thanks to his utterly gorgeous images!)

This book is brimming with fun and fresh flavors for new teatime treats. Chocolate and Espresso "Curd." Passionfruit Meringue Tarts. Rhubarb and Custard Macarons. Coffee and Caramel Éclairs. And check out these Earl Grey and Lemon Teapots, cookies (or "biscuits," as they say) embossed with a design from a textured silicone rolling mat. (I can tell I'll be looking for one of these soon.) Sometimes, all the inspiration I need to get in a teatime mood can be found in a charming new tea cookbook!