Katherine Clapner of Dude, Sweet Chocolate is hosting her fourth tea party, this one honoring Israel.
Israeli tea culture is more herb-based, she says, so she's partnering with Profound Microfarms of Lucas for sourcing herbs such as mint, which will be infused as is or into green or oolong teas. Lee Bednar, co-owner of Profound, will be the guest speaker. She's a native of South Africa but also lived in Israel.
For the food, Clapner is preparing individual babkas, scones, rose petal fritters with pomegranate honey, cardamom fig upside cake and Texas peach and pistachio kanafeh, plus halva and tamarind truffles. And those are just the sweets. For the savory options, there'll be a chickpea and green pea falafel, bourikas (an egg, potato and carrot pastry), and a lamb pita with pickled mango.
Clapner has honored Iran, India and Taiwan in previous tea parties, and says the events have been an amazing journey for her.
"Food is the greatest door opener," she says. "I notice these commonalities, a common thread. Like, I always have something fried, because every culture has a fried dough."
Noon April 28. $45. At the Dude, Sweet "Mothership," 1340 Inwood Road, Dallas. Buy tickets at eventbrite.com. Look for dates for future tea parties at facebook.com/dudesweetchocolate.
