The importance of mid meals cannot be overstated in Aged Care as ‘quality mid meals can provide an essential addition to the Aged Care home menu by adding flexibility, interest and variety’ as stated in the Australian Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care. This excerpt from the same manual provides tips to maximise the nutrition content of foods offered on the menu and lists mid-meal foods and their nutritional profile.
Transform the humble morning or afternoon tea in your facility into a delicious occasion to lift the spirits and brighten everyone’s day.
Whether your residents fancy an English Breakfast, a delicate Earl Grey or a refreshing herbal blend, there’s really nothing quite like a good cuppa in the morning or afternoon, especially with a sweet treat.
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As for the treat to go with their favourite tea, why not try some simple but delicious desserts every now and again.
To help inspire your mid-meal menus, we’ve selected ten classic desserts and adapted them to create mouth-watering morning and afternoon recipes, paired with the perfect matching tea blend.
1. Oreo Cheesecake with Earl Grey
Cheesecake is everyone’s favourite, and is suitable for soft diets. This delicious recipe tastes even better alongside a light and delicate Earl Grey for afternoon tea. The chocolate Oreo biscuit base makes this heaven for chocolate-lovers too.
2. Cinnamon Doughnut Brulee Pudding with Vanilla Honey Chamomile
This French classic has a secret cinnamon doughnut surprise. The caramel and cinnamon flavours match a light Vanilla Honey Chamomile tea. Serve it in individual glass bowls for a touch of fine-dining glamour.
3. Banana Egg Nog Cream Pie and Vanilla Chai Tea
A delicious combination of fresh bananas, custard and cream is perfectly matched with an aromatic Vanilla Chai tea for an exotic twist. The biscuit base gives the bananas and cream a light crunchy texture, making this an ideal morning or afternoon tea accompaniment.
4. Citrus Fresh Pannacotta
A classic dessert that features a modern twist in the form of Yuzu, lime, and mandarin. Great for anytime of the year, this pannacotta offers the right amount of zing with a citrus fresh flavour crafted from natural ingredients.
5. Chocolate Éclairs with Peppermint Tea
Chocolate is hard to resist, and this light fluffy pastry éclair is no exception. To match the rich, creamy chocolate centre, a vanilla herbal or peppermint tea tastes divine.
6. Lovers Lamington Parfait with Raspberry and Vanilla Iced Tea
This frozen mousse slice is a delightful twist on the traditional Aussie lamington, and will be mid-meal favourite, especially when served with a Raspberry tea blend. During the summer months, a refreshing Raspberry and Vanilla Iced tea will be the perfect match for the rich chocolate and coconut flavours of this timeless Australian classic.
7. Lemon Meringue Pie with Earl Grey
Tea is often enhanced with a slice of lemon, or even better, a slice of lemon meringue pie! This much-loved teatime favourite can be served as an individual slice, just the right size for a morning tea break. Match with an Earl Grey tea served with a slice of lemon.
8. Raspberry Swirl Trifle with Passion Fruit Iced tea
This individual-sized trifle is based on a summertime classic, paired with a zesty and refreshing iced tea. This is best served chilled so is perfect for warmer weather, although it is loved all year round. The real fruit jelly makes a perfectly light afternoon tea, and the combination of refreshing iced tea with the flavours of passionfruit and raspberry is the essence of summer. Serve in individual glasses to show off the colourful trifle layers.
9. Simple Sweet Chocolate Cherry Ripe Slice with Green Tea
Some flavours are a match made in heaven – like chocolate, cherries with a hint of flaked coconut. This rich slice needs a neutral-tasting tea. The earthy, grassy tones of green tea hit the right note with an equally complex richness of chocolate. Green tea is not only filled with health benefits, but is a refreshing pairing for a decadent sweet.
10. Pineapple Cream Sponge Cake with English Breakfast Tea
A lovely light sponge cake filled with sweet pineapple cream has a lovely fresh flavour for spring. This mouth-watering cake goes well with a lovely English Breakfast Tea.
