Hi guys! I know you are all waiting on the first photo tutorial but I’m working with only 4 hours sleep today and I just couldn’t finish it without making sure there are no mistakes, so that will be the next post. I promise! On another note, Julie from Gourmet Getaways just reviewed my cookbook. I think she liked it ;), So I’d like to invite you guys to stop by her site and read her review. Guess what? in addition to the review she is also giving away a copy. She is making it really easy and fun to enter your chance to win. Please stop by Gourmet Gateways to enter your chance to win.
The recipe that I have for you today is for one of my favorite drinks in the whole world, tea. I’m a tea addict and always experimenting with different spices and flavors to keep it all interesting. Mandarin oranges also know as Tangerines are such a great tasting fruit to eat on their own, juice for cooking and baking and of course the zest or peel is one my favorite ingredients. I don’t buy dried zest or peels I dry my own. It’s very easy and while it’s drying it makes your house smell really good. But perhaps I’ll do a tutorial another time so I can convince you guys. In the meantime I’ll leave you with this lightly spiced and fruity tea. It’s a great tea to drink anytime of the day.
*black tea, bags or loose leaf
3 bruised cardamom pods
4 whole cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, or half 1 stick
Peel of 1 small Mandarin (Tangerine) fresh or dried equivalent
4 cups (1 Lt.) water
* The amount of tea depends on how strong you take your tea. For this amount of water I will typically use 3 strong black tea bags. If I have loose leaf tea on hand I will use about 1.5 tablespoons. Adjust to your taste.*
Utensils:
pot and fine sieve**see photos below for the ones I use.
1. Pour the water into the pot then add the cardamom,cloves, cinnamon and Mandarin peel. Cover and over medium heat bring to a boil. Leaving the pot partially covered simmer for 10 minutes. Add the tea to the pot and continue simmering an additional 5 minutes then turn the heat off. Allow to cool slightly before straining and serving.
2. Use a small tea strainer to pour the tea into tea cups or using a normal sized fine sieve strain the tea into another pot or teapot.
I don’t sweeten my tea but if you would like to sweeten yours I would recommend using honey or brown sugar for the best tasting tea. This was my breakfast, tea and a slice of Bundt cake.
One last photo of Mandarins, they are so cute I couldn’t resist shooting a bunch of photos.
Ooooooo I will be sure to impress my son's grand parents with this when we have kaffee und kuchen tho I don't drink coffee! Will bookmark this- thanks! That cake looks nice, too. I always notice cake!
I saw that photo tutorial label last night and I anxiously clicked on it lol! I can not wait until you post it. Your photos are always so fabulous! Hope you get some sleep, mama
You and me need to sit down one day. LOVE tea and Corinne Bailey Rae is one of he most soothing out there. Your photos are always so romantic.
You rock.
Well I happen to have all of this in the kitchen right now, and I feel like crud, so guess what I am going to go make? Thank you for this post, it's a real pick me up!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures..
lovely…how aromatic… must feel like winter in a cup!!!
Amelia from Z Tasty Life
I'm a tea addict, too, but mostly to black Persian tea. I like to make orange-sugar with my orange peel. It's a great accent to scones or other orange-infused baked goodies. Do you also use tangerine peels?
Orange tea is the only fruit tea that I like. Thanks for sharing this version! I usually make mine with ginger, but the cardamon sounds AMAZING!
oh my this sounds awesome
Wonderful and aromatic tea ! Nice clicks !
Amazing as always! I just love your blog!
Im saving this recipe, sounds really interesting and I would like to try it :)
delicious flavourful tea
This is a winner – I love everything about the mandarin tangerine – the fruit, the peel and the juice. What a soothing and refreshing tea.
spiced tea :) That is exactly what I need right now. Going to put on the kettle :)
Beautiful tea!
Put your records on is one of my favorite songs ever….in fact it's my go to for inspiration song:) Love her music…
Beautiful flavors in this tea, mandarin's are such jewels. And of course so are your photos :) Hope your getting some good rest.
What a perfect post ; your photos are outstanding! Going to check our your book.
Such. Lovely. Photos.
I love a hot cup of tea when I get home from work- it just seems to make me feel more relaxed. This spiced tea sounds lovely!
I just really want to Put My Record On and have a bite of that bundt cake with this seriously flavorful, spicy citrusy tea! I also adore Corrine Rae Bailey's laid-back style… Her voice makes me think of the end of summer, right just before autumn comes!
Update – I made this!! It was SO what the doctor ordered! I made a whole pot of it using loose black lychee tea and for the last cup I added a tiny (ahem) shot of brandy. Sweet dreams.
I'm a tea feign, Nancy! And I've never tried a combination quite like this before. I will do it! Hmm, I wonder if I could just use some fresh Mandarin or citrus peel?? I don't know how to dry it;)
Oh, and I'm going to run over to Gourmet Getaways now. I'd so love to win that!
Beautiful tea!
@Sommer, Hope they like it too.
@Belinda, Thank you and that sounds like fun, I'd love to!
@Emily, Hehe:)
@Trix, I'm so glad you liked it and hope it made you feel better. BTW great idea on the brandy.
@ Pavithra & Amelia PS, Thank you!
@FamilySpice, Sounds Good, Yes that what the recipe calls for Tangerine peels.
@Tiffany, Ginger is also a great addition.
@Claudia, Sathya, Sandra, Medeja,Torviewtoronto,Claudia, Penny & Nikki, Thank you Girls:)
@Alisha, How funny there we go again:) She is pretty inspirational, I agree. Thank you sweetheart.
@Rita, Mr. P., scrambledhenfruit, Thank you!
@Maya, That is the perfect way of describing her and that album. Bravo, well said!
@Stella, Yes why not I'm sure it would still taste great. Good luck!
@Dimah, Thank you!