Fresh Spearmint Iced tea

 Yes, I watch Duck Dynasty.......I admit it.  I tried hard to resist, as I was afeared that my IQ would drop drastically (can't afford drastic...believe me) that and my Red Neckian Northern Albertan neighbours would say that they were slowly drawing me into their clutches!  Alas I did wear plaid this past fall but in my defence...IT WAS IN STYLE!!!

Anyways, I say all of that to say this....they drink an awful lot of "sweet tea" on that show. I would too if I live in Louisiana.  And as it is the season of sun and I do really like tea (hot or cold) I discovered this new recipe that I had to try.  My spearmint plant drove me to this recipe as it was growing out of control.  But hey, now its gonna be real short....really short as I LOVE this iced tea!


This recipe is a blend of fresh herbs, spices, and black tea.  A wonderful combo that will brighten your day.  So let's get making some tea.  Si would be proud.....;)

Spearmint Iced Tea

- adapted from Emaril

What you Need:

1 cup of fresh Spearmint leaves

2 Orange Pekoe Tea bags ( I love Tetley)

5 whole cloves

1/4  cup of sugar

4 cups of boiling water.

What you Do:

1.  Boil water in your kettle.

2.  In a heat resistant bowl or saucepan place spearmint, tea bags, cloves and sugar.  

3.  Pour in water and steep for 5 minutes.

4.  Strain solids.

**You can drink this tea hot if ya like.  It is delicious!  But if ya like and iced tea, cool tea in fridge.  When cool, pour over ice in a glass and savour!

Retro Raspberry Molded "Salad"/Dessert

I love to look at "vintage" cookbooks.  I am always amazed at how people back a generation or two really seemed to like veal, weird meat parts, mayo, and ANYTHING jellied!  And of course if it is jellied.....it was automatically a "salad". 

 I just don't get it....to me Jello means dessert!  Jiggly red jello and strawberries,blueberries and lots of Cool whip.  Funny, when you cooking with kinda "fake" food ya go for fake whip cream....Love Cool Whip...shhh.  Must be a 70's child thing.  That and green Tupperware...I recently discovered that my Mom-in-law has a green Tupperware Jello mold and I of course asked if I could borrow it for a bit to try out some of my vintage recipes... ( I really should stop using the word vintage - I was born in the 70's...eek)

ANYWAYS!  This is my take on a "Jello Salad"/DESSERT!  Raspberries, Cool whip, Jello, and marshmallows. Need I say more?  Break out your peace signs and flowers my peeps and embrace your inner hippie!  Peace Out Man!

Retro Raspberry Cream "Salad" - DESSERT!

adapted from Company's Coming

What you Need:

1 - 3oz (4 serving) size Raspberry Jello

3/4 cup of boiling water

1/4 cup of sugar

1 cup of frozen raspberries (thawed)

1 cup of Cool Whip (thawed)

1 cup small plain marshmallows

What you do:

Dissolve jelly powder in boiling water in medium bowl.  Add sugar.   Stir to dissolve.  Add raspberries and stir.  Chill until "syrupy" (about 1/2 hr).   Fold in Cool whip and marshmallows.  Pour into mold or bowl and chill. (about 5 hours)

To dislodge the jelly dessert - place mold in pan of hot water for 20-30 seconds.  It will easily turn onto the plate.  Enjoy!!!

Strawberry Lemonade!!!!

Ah summertime....almost....:)  My family and I enjoyed our first campfire with Smores a couple of nights ago. Such a wonderful time watching the boys play Pirate-Robots and imagining that they were "off to save the day!"  My husband and I laughed and laughed as they tried to use sand shovels to "row" their "boat" (camp chairs in the lid of their sandbox)  tooo funny.  Wish I had my camera out for that one.  David and I sat by the fire, sipping a beverage and roasting marshmallows.  It was such a great night!

Summer beverages....I love them all!  Gotta stay hydrated....and just drinking water can be kinda boring...SO...Throughout the summer I make big jugs of sun tea, juices, iced coffee, and of course....lemonade!

 I love Lemon lemonade, Vanilla Lemonade (see my post on that one!), and a new favorite....Strawberry Lemonade!  Yes it sounds fancy schmancy.....but it is soooo easy to make!  A lovely sipper on a hot day.  The strawberries sweeten up the drink, yet the lemons make sure that there is still that tang that everyone loves.  My William LOVES this drink!

Strawberry Lemonade

adapted from Alaska from Scratch

What you Need:

For the Simple Syrup:
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
For the Strawberry Puree:
• 2-3 cups hulled strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup cold water
For the Lemonade:
 

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup cold water
• ice
• lemon slices and sliced strawberries, optional
• 
  

Instructions

1. In a saucepan over high heat, mix together the water and the sugar. Cook until the sugar dissolves and it becomes a clear syrup. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. 
2. Add the strawberries and the 1 cup cold water to a blender. Puree.
3. To a half-gallon (2L) pitcher, add the lemon juice, 1 cup cold water, ice, and lemon and strawberry slices, if using. Stir in the strawberry puree and the simple syrup until well combined. Taste for sweetness and add more cold water if needed. Refrigerate to chill through or serve over ice.

You can strain the seeds and pulp out if ya like.  We like our "thick".  Also, try adding some sparkling water to add some fizz.  Any way you try it this is a good drink!!!