how to properly make black tea.

Step one: get a cast iron teapot.



Don't believe me? Alton Brown believes me...

If you don't have time to watch the whole video here is this:
Cast iron teapots evenly heat, making the tea fully expand giving you a tasty, healthier brew.

Step two: heat up your water.

Contrary to popular belief, not all tea is steeped at a boiling temperature. I chose (once again) to make Earl Grey Creme as to compliment my cookies. Since it is a black tea I only need my water heated to 195 degrees. Since I do not have an automatic water warmer I placed a meat thermometer in the spout of my tea kettle.





Step three: add your tea leaves.

Also contrary to popular belief, my strainer does not need to be completely full of tea. You only need 1 - 1 1/2 tsp of tea per 8 ounces of water. Since my pot is only 24 ounces I only added 3 tsps of tea.







Step four: add the water and steep.

Do just that. Once the water is exactly the right temperature, pour the water over the tea leaves and set a timer. And tea does not need to be steeped for 10 hours. Black tea only needs to be steeped for 3 minutes, so do just that.








Step five: remove the basket and enjoy.

Once the timer goes off, remove the strainer immediately, pour a nice cuppa tea for yourself and drink. :)











Delightful.

tea and crumpets.

And by "tea and crumpets" I actually mean "tea cookies". :)


It's Monday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I just worked a 10 hour shift, had a delicious dinner and watched an episode of Parks and Recreation. At this point I wanted something sweet, healthy and (somewhat) quick, so I decided to make these incredible tea cookies.

Step one: Gather your ingredients.
2 cups of flour (I used 1 cup of all-purpose white and 1 cup of whole wheat)
2/3 cups of powdered sugar
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of butter (I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks)
1 Tbsp of your favorite tea (I chose Earl Gray Creme)
















Step two: Measure the tea.

If you are using loose leaf tea like I do you have to grind your tea. Measure out 1 Tbsp of the loose tea leaves of your choice (Tip: always use round bottom teaspoons to ensure the perfect measurement) and grind with a mortar and pestle. Yes, I know in the picture you can see a food processor. I tried it, and it was awful. It's worth taking a couple extra minutes to use the mortar and pestle and grind the tea into a find powder. If you hate this idea, cut open a teabag (or 2) and use the boring, tasteless insides.













Step three: mix all the ingredients together.

Seriously. That's all for step three. I told you it was super easy. Tip: Once you're done mixing you should taste the batter to ensure the perfect deliciocity.









Step four: scoop the well-mixed batter into a ball on a piece of plastic wrap and place in the frrreezerrr for 1 hour.

Yes, 1 hour. It will be well worth the wait.

While it chills for 10 billion years, read my entry on how to properly make black tea.









Step five: remove from the freezer.

YAY! Remove from the freezer and place the ball o' dough on a piece of wax paper. Cut into fourths and place 3/4 of the batter back in the freezer.










Step six: roll out the dough.

Roll out 1/4 of the dough between two pieces of wax paper to about 1/4 of an inch in thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Mine are awesome.





















Step six: bake.

Place awesome shapes on a cookie sheet and bake for 13ish minutes at 350 degrees. Tip: use a thick cookie sheet for a more even bake.












Step seven: EAT.

Cool on a wire rack and eattum. Yum. You may think that they are flavorless at first, but the aftertaste will hit you like a big, red firetruck. These are best complimented with tea, of course.

great news

Over the last 2 months I have only been to Wal-Mart once. And I still claim it wasn't on purpose. Now, this wasn't intentional at first, but the other day I realized something fantastic. By not going to this dreaded supercentermasterkingsized store I have been happier, I've lost weight, and my relationship with my boyfriend has improved. Yes, I know that sounds completely ridiculous, but I completely credit all of these things to NOT shopping at Wal-Mart. We used to stop in to pick up something for dinner, and before we even got through the doors I was already bickering with him about something that had nothing to do with us. Usually about parents not putting a coat on their kids or someone parking in the middle of the lane facing the wrong way... UGH. Just thinking about it upsets me. Anyway, we started shopping at Target, grocery stores and Whole Foods Market. Come to find out (now this is a doozie.... hold on to your hats, kids).... I have actually saved just as much money by shopping at these places simply by using coupons, shopping during sales and (this is the big one) only buying what I need. Most of you are probably familiar with the "I'm going to Wal-Mart to buy bread" trip that quickly turns into "I'm going to Wal-Mart to buy bread and a 42" plasma screen LCD HD 3D TELEVISION" trip.

I was definitely planning on finishing this post/rant tonight, but I am exhausted due to the Spring forward. There will be more on this later. In the meantime, enjoy/purchase some of the most delicious local music I have ever heard.