Must Have Recipes!

Valentine's Day is one of my favourite days of the year!  Unfortunately, with all the craziness of life as parents of 2 busy little boys, Valentine's Day usually comes and goes without much fanfare at our house.  Take-out is about as exciting as it gets! 

Well this year I decided to start a new tradition for our family - Valentine's Tea. Let me tell you, trying to get a 7 year old boy to even acknowledge Valentine's Day is usually a difficult task.  However, throw in some desserts with any kind of icing and it's guaranteed he'll come to the table with a smile on his face! 

I tried some new recipes that were SO perfect that I just have to share them.  First, (and best!) recipe is for the Scones which I served up with thick cream, and homemade cherry jam.  And my new favourite way to eat scones, thick cream with a few fresh raspberries on top.  (Makes for a delicious, indulgent breakast too!)

This is the scone recipe from the Royal York Hotel Tea Room!  You can find it in the book "Steeped In Tradition", by Frances Hoffman. 

Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup cold butter

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  With pastry blender or fingertips, rub in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in raisins if desired.  Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture.

In a small bowl, use a fork to beat eggs and milk until blended.  Pour into well.  Using a fork, mix with quick, light strokes to make a soft, slightly sticky dough.  Press dough into a ball and knead gently on floured surface 10 times.

Pat dough into 3/4 inch thick circle. Cut out, using a 2.5 inch floured round cutter.  Place rounds on a greased baking sheet.  *Optional - Mix 1 beaten egg and pinch of salt.  Brush tops of scones lightly with egg glaze.

Bake in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until golden. Make 12 scones.

We did the traditional cucumber sandwiches, egg salad, and a few PB&J for the kids :)  The stand out favourite though was the chicken salad.

Chicken Waldorf Sandwiches

Mix together:

3 cups cooked diced chicken

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup diced apples

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup diced celery

salt and pepper

Combine:

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tbsp. honey

Whisk the dressing and pour over the chicken mixture.  Chill for two hours.  Assemble sandwiches, trimming off the crust. 

Now for the treats! 

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies 

http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/02/01/red-velvet-cheesecake-brownies/

Heart Shaped Cream Wafers

*From the Betty Crocker Cookie Book

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup whipping cream

Sugar

Creamy filling (below)

Mix flour, butter and whipping cream with spoon.  Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  roll one-third of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface.  (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll).  Cut into 1 1/2 inch hearts with heart shaped cookie cutter.  Generously cover large piece of waxed paper with sugar.  Transfer hearts to waxed paper, using pancake turner.  Turn each heart to coat both sides.  Place on un-greased cookie sheet.  Prick each heart with a fork about 4 times.

Bake 7-9 minutes or just until set, but not brown.  Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely.  Prepare Creamy Filling.  Spread about 1/2 tsp filling between pairs of cookies.

Creamy Filling

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

Food colour, if desired.

Mix all ingredients until smooth.  Add a few drops of water if necessary.

Sugar Cookie Tarts

*From the Betty Crocker Cookie Book

2 cups sugar

1 cup shortening

3/4 cup butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Cream Cheese Spread (below)

Toppings (sliced fresh fruit)

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat sugar, shortening, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon.  Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Roll half the dough at a time 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured surface.  Cut into 3-inch rounds (I did large hearts instead!).  Place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown.  Cool 1-2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely.

Prepare Cream Cheese spread.  Spread about 2 tsp. over each cookie.  Arrange toppings on spread.  Store covered in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Spread

1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients until smooth.



Big Summer Sale!

Summer has arrived and I couldn't be happier about the change of seasons! 

Thanks to everyone who has made the past winter & spring such a great start for Kelly's Fine Teas!  I am so pleased to have received so many notes & e-mails that my tea is being enjoyed and shared with family & friends.  Thank you for all the wonderful feedback!

To celebrate the arrival of Summer we've got a big sale beginning - Buy 2 Get 1 Free!!  This sale will last all summer, but supplies may not!


Our Tea Menu - (Small bag $4.50; Large bag $8.50; 10 Teabags $3.25)

Black Tea Blends:
Lovers Leap Ceylon
Classic Black - Excellent Iced!
English Breakfast
Garden of Eden - *New* Tropical blend, Excellent Iced!  Limited supplies & going fast!!!
Earl Grey
Earl Grey Creme
White Chocolate Mousse
Masala Chai

Rooibos & Dessert Blends:
Vanilla Berry Truffle
Caramelized Pear
Raspberry Nectar
Rooibos Provence
Chocolate Monkey
Rooibos

Green Tea Blends:
Lucky Dragon Hyson Green Tea
Sencha Green Tea
Fleur De Vie

Herbal Blends:
Chamomile
Peppermint


Happy Sipping!  I wish you all a fantastic summer season! Be sure to read my previous post on how to make Classic Black Iced Tea, it's a delicious way to add something special to any summer meal!  Many teas will make excellent iced teas, so be sure to experiment with your favourites.

*Due to the Canada Post strike, please e-mail your orders to KellysTea@gmail.com and alternate delivery arrangements will be made at that time.  Thank You.*

Making Iced Tea

I am so happy that it's finally time to think about Iced Tea!  Making iced tea using tea leaves is so easy, and trust me, really worth the effort! 


1. Brew your tea exactly the same as you would for hot tea, only using twice the amount of tea leaves. 
2. Steep for the same amount of time recommended for making hot tea. 
3. Remove the loose leaves and add sugar if desired.  Let sit until about room temperature. This will ensure the tea is not 'cloudy'.
4. Refridgerate until chilled, add ice, and serve!

Here's my basic iced tea recipe:

4 Tbsp Classic Black tea leaves
6 cups boiling water
6 tbsp sugar
juice of half a lemon (I add this once the tea is completely cooled)


Check out this link for some delicious iced tea recipes  http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=iced tea


Happy Sipping!

Organic Tea - An Important Choice

When it comes to Tea, why choose Organic?  There are many reasons why tea drinkers across the world are placing increasing importance on Organic Tea. 

It's Better For the Planet

"Producing tea organically makes a far smaller impact on the environment than conventional agriculture by eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In doing so, organic tea yields a variety of benefits over its conventional counterparts.

Without a doubt, organic tea is better for the living things that inhabit this planet – and not just us humans! Organic agriculture is – hands down – healthier for flora and fauna. Persistent agrochemicals used in conventional farming can accumulate up the food chain, often resulting in a variety of health and reproductive ailments, including toxic dosages being consumed by top predators.

Organic tea is also better for water bodies, in part because organic farming practices lessen the eutrophication of water bodies. Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers can lead to algae blooms in nearby lakes and rivers, upsetting the delicate balance of those aquatic ecosystems and killing the many organisms that live there.

Perhaps most importantly, organic tea is better for our air, but more specifically, our atmosphere. The synthetic fertilizers and other agrochemicals that conventional farming relies on can be VERY energy-intensive to produce. This results in the emission of carbon and other contaminants (read: “green house gases”) which contribute to global climate change and various forms of air pollution."  (www.organic-tea.info)

It's Safer for the Workers

Many times the spraying of pesticides is done by un-trained workers without any recommended safety gear, such as masks or gloves.  Spraying can be done as often as 15-20 times a year!

By supporting Organic tea, we can also support the health and livelihoods of thousands of people. 

It's Safer for Consumers

These harmful toxins undoubtedly end up in your freshly brewed cup of tea, and ultimately in your body.  Unlike the veggies and fruits you buy at the grocery store, you can't wash your tea leaves before drinking them, and they certainly are not washed before processing and packing.

The more Organic Tea we choose, the more farming communities we support in a sustainable manner.  For the farmers, that means a better life for themselves and for future generations. 

And for us, that means a chance to make the world a better place!

Make it a Latte!

What could be better than a heavenly cup of Kelly's Fine Tea?  Well, nothing of course!  Unless you turn that heavenly cup into a luscious latte. 

A tea latte is extra strong tea with hot steamed milk added to it, usually with sugar.  Making your own latte at home only requires a few steps, and no fancy equipment!  Follow these steps to make 2 small, or 1 large latte.

1.  Steam 1/2 cup of milk - Put milk in a pot on stovetop over low heat.  Start whisking and continue to whisk as the milk heats up, but do not let it boil.  Once it is heated through and foamed, remove from heat.

2.  Steep extra strong tea - Use about 3-4 tsp. of loose tea leaves for 1 cup of boiling water.  Steep for the usual time as indicated on the package label.  Pour the steeped tea into your cup and add desired amount of sugar.

3. Mix milk & tea - Add the steamed milk to your cup of tea, give it a little stir and it's ready to enjoy! 

All types of tea can be used to make a latte.  Our Masala Chai and our Dessert Blends make excellent lattes! 
See www.KellysFineTeas.com for all our delicious blends. *Our website has a brand new look, come on over for a visit!*

Ceylon Tea Trails

Isn't that a pretty sight?  Imagine yourself in a comfy wicker armchair, on a beautiful veranda overlooking the hills of a tea plantation, sipping tea that grew on those very hills.

Ceylon Tea Trails is one of the top 10 All Inclusive Resorts in the World, according to TripAdvisors Travelers Choice 2011 Awards.  There's no question, this trip to Sri Lanka would be the ultimate tea experience. 

The Resident Tea Planter, will show you first hand the age-old tea making process. First, follow the trail of the planters of old Ceylon, as they trekked through the dense jungle looking for the best slopes on which to plant tea. Then on to watch the tea pluckers pick two leaves and a bud with deft hands. Then to the factory where the all-important conversion to "made" black tea happens.

You're sure to enjoy your stay in a suite at any of the 4 luxury tea plantation bungalows. Each bungalow has a manager, a chef and a butler to ensure superb service.  You'll also have access to the many hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, and spa services. 

Click HERE to browse the postcard photos from Ceylon Tea Trails, and imagine immersing yourself in the world of a tea plantation.  For a tea lover like me, this is #1 on my 'places I want to go' list!

See www.teatrails.com  for all the info. 

Simple Guidelines to Decaffeinate Tea Naturally

All teas are naturally caffeinated in varying amounts; black teas have the most, white teas have the least. Many people like a little caffeine-kick at certain points of the day, but if you'd like to cut back on your caffeine and still be able to enjoy your favourite blends, here's a simple way to decaffeinate your tea at home.

To Decaffeinate your Tea at Home:

1. Boil water as usual, and pour over tea (full cup of water, or at least enough to cover the tea).

2. Steep your tea leaves for 30-45 seconds. Then drain the liquid.

3. Immediately fill the cup with more boiling water, and steep as usual. 

(You may find you will need to steep an extra minute to achieve the same flavour level.  Experiment with your favourite teas to find out what will work best.) 

This will remove 80-90% of the caffeine. 

About Commercially Decaffeinated Tea

If purchasing store bought decaf teas, make sure the ones you choose are decaffeinated through a natural method using a water and/or a CO2 process, if possible.

The other methods of commercially decaffeinating teas use Methylene Chloride, and Ethyl Acetate. These two processes retain only 30% of the polyphenols, and leave a residue on the leaves that makes them a problematic choice for tea.